Penalties for making bomb jokes at airports, and how it could land you in prison
Joking about bombs at airports crosses a dangerous line. Case in point: a male passenger bound for Singapore was recently offloaded from his flight after allegedly making a bomb-related remark.
The passenger made the bomb joke during routine security screening at the Departure Area of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on Dec. 20.
Police immediately inspected his luggage and confirmed the absence of any explosive or incendiary materials.
Despite the absence of an actual threat, airline management opted not to pursue a formal complaint and instead decided to offload the passenger and blocklist him from future flights.
"Bomb-related jokes have no place in airport facilities. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy and will take immediate action to ensure the safety and security of all airport operations,” stated PBGen Dionisio Bartolome Jr, Acting Director of the PNP Aviation Security Group.
What are the penalties for making bomb jokes?
Local airlines such as the Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air have previously warned passengers that making jokes or false statements about bombs is treated as a serious security violation.
"Cebu Pacific reminds all passengers that making bomb jokes or false threats is a punishable crime under Philippine law. Such acts cause unnecessary panic, disrupt airport operations, and lead to flight delays that affect hundreds of travelers," the airline stated.
These kinds of jokes are banned under Presidential Decree No. 1727, which was signed by the late former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1980.
The decree was initiated due to "bombings, arson, and other terroristic acts committed by radicals and other lawless elements in the country" at the time.
"Such acts and activities of the radical and other lawless elements and other persons pose a grave and positive danger to public safety and security, and it is necessary that the government immediately adopt and enforce adequate and effective measures to curb these criminal acts and activities," Marcos stated.
Any person who, by word of mouth or through other means of communication, makes any threat or false information concerning bombs, explosives, or any similar device will be punished with imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine of up to P40,000, or both, at the discretion of the court.
They will also not be entitled to bail.
