Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), adhering to security protocol, turned over to the Police Aviation Security Group on Thursday a male passenger bound for Cotabato from Manila after uttering a bomb-related joke.
The carrier issued an apology to passengers of flight PR 2959 for the inconvenience when they were required to disembark “so that authorities could inspect the aircraft thoroughly,” according to PAL Spokesman Cielo Villaluna.
“These incidents are taken very seriously, as the security and safety of the passengers are the topmost concern of the airline and the authorities,” she said.
PAL also thanked a broadcast journalist and her crew, who promptly reported the bomb joke comment they heard, alerting the crew of PR 2959.