Don’t make bomb jokes

Security officials at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have started posting more signs warning travelers against making bomb jokes anywhere in the airport, especially at the departure and arrival areas.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Alfonso Cusi said the goal is to keep people informed of the rules.

"We need to keep everybody informed and save everybody the trouble. Airlines are also issuing advisories," he told The STAR in an interview.

MIAA assistant general manager for security and emergency services, (ret.) General Angel Atutubo said he also reminded airlines to post such warnings. "I distributed copies to airlines so they can place them in appropriate places especially in passenger routes."

NAIA officials decided to put up more signs that would warn everybody against joking around about carrying bombs after the recent arrests of a French national and Filipina doctor who joked that they had explosives in their luggage during security checks.

Last week, a businessman Michael Brionne, 66, was nabbed for telling a flight attendant that he had a bomb in his luggage.

Despite his apology, he was charged before the Pasay City Prosecutor’s Office.