Davao City, September 30, 2025 — A Cebu-bound flight at Davao International Airport was delayed on Monday afternoon after a male passenger cracked a bomb-related joke while already onboard the aircraft.
According to the Davao International Airport Police Station (DIAPS), the incident occurred during routine security questioning by airline personnel. The suspect reportedly said, “walay power bank diri, time bomb lang miss” (“there’s no power bank here, just a time bomb, miss”), alarming authorities and fellow passengers.
The remark immediately triggered the enforcement of safety protocols. The passenger was arrested and offloaded from the flight for violating Presidential Decree 1727, also known as the Anti-Bomb Joke Law, which penalizes false information and jokes about bombs or explosives in public places.
To ensure passenger safety, the Aviation Security Explosives and Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and Canine Unit 11 (AVSECU 11) conducted thorough paneling operations on the aircraft before clearing it for departure.
The suspect is now in the custody of DIAPS and faces legal consequences.
PNP Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) Director PBGEN Jay R. Cumigad reminded the public that jokes about bombs are no laughing matter.
“A simple joke like this can lead to your arrest and cause flight delays. We urge everyone to refrain from making bomb jokes, especially in public places such as airports, because the law strictly prohibits it,” he stressed.
Authorities reiterated that bomb jokes not only disrupt travel but also endanger public safety, waste critical resources, and can cause unnecessary panic.
The incident serves as a strong reminder for passengers: airports are high-security areas where safety is paramount, and every word counts.