Manila airport security drill
A full-scale security drill at the Manila International Airport to beef up security was held earlier this week. Image Credit: @MIAAGovPH
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Manila: Bomb threats have led to enhanced security at the country’s major aviation gateways, putting 42 airports on hightened alert, officials said.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said in a media advisory that the bomb threats were being taken seriously and security protocols were activated. Philippine law prescribes serious penalties for bomb threats or jokes, with up to 12 years in jail.

“Immediate enhanced security measures” were being implemented across all Philippine commercial airports, the authority, and added that the warnings were being verified.

Advise to passengers

The CAAP also advised outbound passengers who will be traveling internationally to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight to avoid any inconvenience.

It was not immediately clear when the threats, which the agency said came via email, were issued. It said the flights identified were headed to Cebu, Bicol, Davao and Palawan.

On October 3, a Simulated Security Crisis Exercise was conducted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila.

This exercise, organised by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) in collaboration with the PNP-Aviation Security Unit (PNP-AVSEU), was designed to assess and enhance NAIA's preparedness and response to unlawful interference emergencies.

The Philippines is currently rolling out its national ID system system. It has also scrubbed millions of mobile SIM cards following the SIM Card law, which mandates SIM card registration. It is also beefing up its cybersecurity defences following the release of PhilHealth data to the dark web by "ransomware" cybercriminals.

Bomb threats

On Monday (October 2), a bomb threat grounded 12 flights at the Bicol International Airport (BIA), the CAAP reported. Cebu Pacific (CEB) flight 5J 326, with 130 passengers, failed to take off at 10:45 am after it requested for more time.



CAAP lavatory Philippines threat
A piece of paper containing the word 'bomb' discovered in lavatory prompts security response on Monday, October 2, 2023. Cebu Pacific flight bound for Manila affected, leading to a three-hour runway closure and impacting 12 flights. (Photo courtesy of CAAP)" Image Credit: CAAP

The flight delays were triggered by a “bomb joke” which led to the temporary closure of Bicol International Airport's runway. Passengers were deplaned. The authority said the airport runway reopened following the completion of a "runway sweep”.

On September 8, 2023, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) activated its inter-agency task force to secure and inspect facilities of the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) in response to an alleged bomb threat sent via e-mail.

On July 3, the Bacolod-Silay Airport Police Station in Negros Occidental province sought the assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group to investigate the bomb scare that affected a Cebu Pacific flight bound for Manila. Passengers were asked to deplane following the threat.

LAWS AGAINST BOMB THREATS OR JOKES
Making bomb threats or spreading false information concerning bomb threat is punishable under Philippine law.

Under Presidential Decree 1727, it carries a fine of imprisonment of not more than five years, or a fine of not more than Php40,000 ($706) or both.

Bomb threats are also punishable under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 or [Republic Act] 11479 with a penalty of 12 years of imprisonment.