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Friday, January 24, 2003
Businessman held for 'bomb' joke
CEBU -- A businessman was arrested and several people were stranded for two hours after he told a flight attendant of the aircraft he was boarding that his bag contained a bomb, a prank that delayed the Manila-bound flight for more than one hour.
Cebu Pacific plans to file charges against Reynaldo Sangalang, 56, of Happy Valley Subdivision, Cebu City, because of the losses it incurred as a result of his joke.
Supt. Arturo Evangelista of the PNP Regional Aviation Security Office (Raso) 7, said Sangalang was detained for violating Presidential Decree 1727.
The decree, issued on Oct. 8, 1980, provides that it is unlawful to make any threat or maliciously communicate that there is danger of damage to property or life by means of an explosive.
If found guilty, Sangalang, a native of Meycawayan, Bulacan and trader and importation consultant, could face five years imprisonment and a fine of P40,000 or both.
General Manager Angelo Verdan of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority said it was unfortunate that it happened because it disturbed peace.
Evangelista said that when Cebu Pacific flight 5J60 was about to depart at 7 a.m., flight attendant Jewel Grace Calauman, who conducted the final inspection of handcarried baggages, saw a bag under Sangalang's seat No. 14-A.
When Calauman asked Sangalang's permission to transfer the bag to the baggage compartment, Sangalang reportedly retorted: "May bomba yan!"
Calauman reported the matter to the pilot, Capt. Edwin Bagtas who, instead of taking off, immediately informed the control tower that the aircraft will return to the ramp.
With the assistance of the crew, passengers orderly deplaned and were accommodated in a lounge until the security measures were completed.
These included thorough baggage and aircraft inspection by bomb experts and canine "sniffers."
In a press release, Viveca Singson, corporate communications manager of Cebu Pacific, said that after the passengers, luggage and aircraft were cleared by airport security, the passengers boarded the plane at 8:40 a.m.
Finally, the plane took off for Manila at 9 a.m.
"We take these things very seriously. We therefore ask the public not to even make jokes about security and safety-related issues, as we will take all the necessary precautions and actions to keep our passengers safe," said Peggy Vera, Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate planning and external affairs. (EOB of Sun.Star Cebu) |
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