The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has issued a heightened alert order to all commercial airports nationwide.
In an interview during DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan on Friday, Oct. 5, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said all 42 CAAP airports are placed under heightened alert due to the reported security threats over the past three days.
“Kaya sinasabihan natin ang mga pasahero na sundin lang ang security procedure ng mga airlines,” he added.
All CAAP airport on heightened alert dahil sa mga banta sa seguridad | via RH 06 @sherwinalfaro #DamdamingBayan #SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) October 6, 2023
LIVE: https://t.co/L5ESk5jGQA pic.twitter.com/r3nQq43AyD
The CAAP spokesperson said the most recent security threat was last Wednesday when a user named “pilipinas kong mahal” sent an email informing about the possible explosion at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The agency shared a copy of the screenshot of the email to DZRH News.
“Concerned citizen, May sasabog na eroplano sa NAIA ngayon. Idadamay nila ang Cebu, Palawan, Bicol, at Davao. Please beware," the email reads.
Apolonio said they would seek assistance from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for the tracking of the sender’s identity.
“Hindi naman natin pwedeng ibaliwala iyan [security threats] dahil magkakasunod na araw, Lunes sa Cebu Pacific Bicol, Martes doon malapit sa airport sa Bicol, at Miyerkules ay itong "Pilipinas kong mahal",” he said.
The CAAP spokesperson reminded the public of Presidential Decree No. 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.
“Paalala lang natin na pwede silang makulong ng limang taon at pagmumultahin ng higit ₱40,000,” he said.
He also said that a 12-year imprisonment awaits those who threaten to make terrorism to airports as stated under Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.
On Monday, CAAP reported that 10 Cebu Pacific flights have been affected after the Bicol International Airport (BIA) closed its runway due to a bomb joke.
