Man arrested for bomb joke

MANILA, Philippines — A passenger was arrested for allegedly making a bomb joke inside a commercial aircraft at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Taclocan, Leyte on Thursday.

Reports said a cabin crew asked the passenger if there was a power bank in his hand-carry bag.

The passenger reportedly replied “no power bank, but there is a bomb… joke.”

The suspect’s reply caused panic among passengers and prompted the cabin crew to notify the pilot and the police.

All passengers were ordered to disembark and their hand-carry bags scanned.

Members of the Eastern Visayas police Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and a K9 unit conducted security check.

Flights resumed after autho-rities declared the airport clear of explosives or flammable materials.

The suspect was placed under the custody of the Tacloban Airport.