Man in ‘bomb’ joke charged but out of jail

CEBU, Philippines - The businessman from Surigao City who was arrested at the Cebu airport Wednesday for allegedly joking about carrying a bomb was charged before the Lapu-Lapu City Prosecutor’s Office yesterday.

He, however, was released from police custody pending clarification of jurisdiction over the case.

Senior Supt. Armando Radoc, acting chief of the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, said cases for violation of Presidential Decree 1727 like the one Arnold Go is facing is usually handled by the military tribunal or military court.

PD 1727 declares as unlawful the malicious dissemination of false information of the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device or means of destruction and imposing penalties thereof.

Under the law, a person convicted of violating PD 1727 may be imprisoned for a maximum of five years or fined a maximum of P40,000, or both, upon the discretion of the court.

Airport police arrested Go after he reportedly announced jokingly that his bag contained a bomb.  The Butuan-bound Cebu Pacific flight was supposed to leave Cebu at 2:50 p.m. but had to be cancelled following the incident.

Initial investigation revealed that Go refused to place his hand luggage at the designated area despite request from the flight attendant and, instead, said jokingly that it contained a bomb.

The attendant then informed her superior of the incident and airport police were called for assistance.

Barrot said Go had company but he was the only one invited for questioning.

Estee Marie Plunket, corporate communications officer of GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport, the administrating group of the airport, said operations remained normal despite what happened.  (FREEMAN)