DESPITE repeated warnings and news about strict prohibitions on cracking jokes about bombs and the like, some just don’t seem to care or listen.
Recently, Cebu Pacific (CEB), Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Air Asia issued separate statements warning air travelers against bomb jokes, stressing that they treat these very seriously.
CEB spokesperson Carmina Romero said that similarly, smoking and ‘vaping’ are also banned on their flights and that violators will have to face legal measures.
“The safety and convenience of our passengers will always be our top priority. We ask for everyone’s cooperation in maintaining a smooth and secure passenger experience at the airport. We thank our passengers for their continued support and understanding,” she said.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna, for her part, underscored that bomb jokes are actually banned under Presidential Decree No. 1727 (Bomb Joke/Threat Law) and that using the word ‘bomb’ or any similar terms that may strike fear would be considered a security threat and will thus be strictly acted upon by security and law enforcement authorities.
“Please refrain from making any jokes or comments that refer to bombs, explosives, or any instruments of violence while at the airport or on board any flight,” Villaluna appealed to air passengers.
In the same breadth, Villaluna stressed that “Republic Act Nos. 9497 (CAAP Law) and 8749 (Clean Air Act) penalize smoking, which includes vaping or the use of electronic cigarettes, on board all flights and at the airport, except in airport areas that are specifically designated.”
For its part, Air Asia Philippines Head of Communications and Public Affairs and First Officer Steve Dailisan. advised the public to adhere to existing safety protocols when flying to avoid delays.
This is amid the increasing number of guests traveling to different island destinations in the country, as well as other international destinations with colder weather.
While guests are flying to relax and already are in a jovial mood, AirAsia emphasized that its ground and flight crew will not tolerate any unruly decorum, which includes the cracking of bomb jokes that can seriously disrupt the flight and ruin vacation plans.
All AirAsia employees are Safety experts, trained to deal with all kinds of threats professionally.
“Bomb jokes and other security-related issues are taken seriously out of rigorous protocol. AirAsia reiterates that bomb jokes are immediately interpreted as a security threat. Moreso, it can make other guests uncomfortable or traumatize, especially first-time passengers,” Dailisan said.
Alcoholic intoxication is also highly discouraged during flight. Unruly passengers can be subjected to reprimand or being offloaded during the flight. Therefore, guests are expected to abide by AirAsia’s published terms and conditions of carriage, he adds.
Apart from airline warnings, signs warning of the consequences of bomb jokes are also conspicuously posted in many parts of the premier airports.
Despite that, some passengers seem to mock the law and continue issuing bomb jokes like it makes them feel great and unafraid.
Apart from unnecessarily causing delay not only to one’s self, other innocent passengers are also dragged into the mess created by some stupid air travelers.
Just to give an idea of what happens if you crack a bomb joke, take the case of a 65-year-old male Canadian-Filipino who was arrested just recently after saying, “granada lang naman ang laman nyan” during the check-in process at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1,
The remark, though the passenger thought was funny, raised concerns among airport staff and it was deemed inappropriate and triggered immediate action from the personnel who heard it.
The matter was reported to the PAL management which immediately sought assistance from the personnel of the PNP AVSEGROUP, who promptly responded and arrested the passenger.
After being informed of the nature of his arrest and his constitutional rights under the Miranda Doctrine, the PNP had to undertake other security measures that included the paneling of the suspect’s baggage by AVSECU EOD/K9, which confirmed the absence of explosive and incendiary materials.
From there, the passenger was taken into the custody of the NAIA Police, while a criminal complaint for violation of PD 1727 was being prepared against him so he could be subjected to an inquest proceeding.
In the meantime, the flight of the concerned passenger was delayed as his luggage had to be offloaded.
Ms. Villaluna laments the domino effect that such a ‘joke’ creates. If one flight is delayed, so will several others and this means that hundreds or even thousands of passengers will be adversely affected.
In the case of the example I gave, she said that PAL would also have to conduct a parallel investigation and get corroborating witnesses. During the hearings resulting from the filing of a case, the witnesses who heard the passenger will have to attend the hearings too and give their formal statements or testimonies.
Making any form of joke regarding bombs and explosives carries serious legal consequences. It is both irresponsible and illegal and if I may add, such a very stupid thing to do.
Bomb jokes carry serious penalties under PD 1727 and Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2000. Violators face a five-year imprisonment or a fine of P40,000.
Given all these, passengers must think many, many times over if cracking bomb jokes is worth it at all.
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