The Philippines has put all its commercial airports on alert after an anonymous warning that a bomb could explode on planes heading out of Manila, including to some tourist hotspots, its civil aviation authority said on Friday.
“Immediately enhanced security measures” are being implemented at 42 commercial airports nationwide, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said in a media advisory, adding that the warning was being confirmed.
The warning was sent via email to air traffic services about the threat to flights out of the capital Manila heading to Davao, Bicol and the popular tourist areas of Palawan and Cebu.
“While the information is under verification, immediate enhanced security measures are being implemented at all airports,” CAAP said.
CAAP did not say when the warning was made.
Passengers line up at airline counters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines January 2, 2023. REUTERS
On Friday, the aviation regulator released to the media an October 4 memo on instructions given to airport security managers to increase security, check baggage thoroughly and conduct round-the-clock surveillance after receiving email threats.
The October 4 memo included a screenshot of the alleged threat, which did not contain the word “bomb” but said “a plane will explode” at Manila’s international airport today and “please be careful”.
“Cebu, Palawan, Bicol and Davao will also be affected”, the anonymous email said.
A Philippine Airlines Airbus A321 passenger plane prepares to land at the Ninoy Aquino International airport as the Makati business center skyline is seen from Taguig City, a suburb of Manila on August 19, 2023. AFP via Getty Images
A source at Philippines Airlines, who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media, said the airline was operating “business as usual”.
A spokesperson for Cebu Pacific Air said the airline was “following normal protocol”.
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said patrols have been increased and K9 units are stationed in all terminals of Manila’s international airport, and law enforcement agencies are coordinating closely.
“There is no expected impact to any scheduled flights and we want to assure the traveling public that protocols are in place to ensure everyone’s safety and security,” Bautista said in a statement.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
