All passengers deplaned at Tacloban Airport after a single "bomb joke" — male passenger arrested

📌 On Thursday, October 1, a male passenger boarding a Manila-bound flight at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban, Leyte was arrested after making a bomb joke to a flight attendant. Because of this single remark, all passengers had to get off the plane and go through security screening again.

■ Incident Details
· When a flight attendant asked if he had a power bank in his carry-on luggage, the passenger replied along the lines of, "I don't have a power bank, but I have a bomb… just joking."
· Passengers became alarmed, and the incident was immediately reported to the pilot and police.
· After all passengers disembarked, the Police Regional Office 8 (Police Regional Office VIII) Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and K-9 units inspected the luggage piece by piece, and operations resumed only after it was confirmed that there were no explosives.

■ Investigation & Current Status
· The passenger is being held at the Tacloban Airport Police Station. The Manila Times reported that he is a 32-year-old man and that criminal charges are being prepared against him for violating the Anti-Bomb Joke Law (Presidential Decree No. 1727) (verified by 1 source).

■ Notice for Residents and Travelers
· Making bomb jokes at Philippine airports and on board flights is punishable by law. Never utter the word "bomb," even as a joke.
· Asking about power banks is a common question during boarding, so simply answer honestly and briefly.
· One person's joke can delay an entire flight, so remind your companions beforehand.

■ Sources
Philstar (10/4), The Manila Times (10/4)