The Philippine National Police (PNP) promptly responded to a security concern at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City after a female passenger aboard a Manila-bound flight made a remark suggesting her laptop contained a bomb on August 31, 2026.
According to reports, the passenger was in the aircraft’s galley when she requested assistance to locate a laptop she had left in the departure area. Once airport personnel located and returned the device to her, she was asked to open it for routine verification. It was during this check that she allegedly uttered the remark, immediately triggering security protocols.
Personnel from the PNP Aviation Security Group (AVSEGROUP) acted swiftly, executing standard safety procedures and placing the passenger under arrest. She was informed of her constitutional rights as authorities moved forward to verify the full details of the incident. The PNP is currently preparing a formal complaint against the individual for possible violation of Presidential Decree No. 1727, commonly known as the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.
Chief PNP Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. underscored that maintaining safety in transit hubs requires mutual vigilance and discipline from both law enforcement and the traveling public.
“Sa airport, bawat salita at kilos may epekto sa seguridad. We ask everyone to be mindful because even a remark meant as a joke can trigger a security response and affect other passengers. Ang mahalaga, we respond properly, protect everyone, and let the investigation establish the facts,” PGen Nartatez stated.
Following the incident, the PNP issued a stern reminder to the public that bomb jokes and false threat remarks are strictly illegal across all settings. Beyond aviation facilities, such remarks are prohibited in public places, schools, commercial establishments, workplaces, and across digital spaces like social media. Offhanded comments intended as humor can cause widespread panic, disrupt critical transportation schedules, and unnecessarily mobilize security forces.
This proactive response aligns with the broader PNP Focused Agenda, specifically under Enhanced Managing Police Operations, ensuring that security interventions remain swift, proportionate, and strictly compliant with established legal procedures. Through these efforts, the PNP supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s commitment to maintaining safe and orderly communities across the nation.