Plane passenger nabbed for bomb joke

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines - A passenger of a commercial plane was arrested for allegedly saying in-flight that he has a bomb in his bag, forcing the commercial plane for an emergency landing at the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA), police said.

The suspect, a seaman and electrician by profession, was identified as Kim Castillo, 45, a native of Roseller T. Lim town, Zamboanga Sibugay, according to Police Station 7 in Barangay Sta. Maria. 

PO1 Herminio Rabor, the case investigator, said Castillo, who was said to be under the influence of liquor, came from Roseller T. Lim town along with his wife and son Wednesday and made a short stop in this city to board a PAL Express flight for Manila.

Before Castillo and his family took the flight, Rabor said the subject reportedly had a drinking session with some friends as a treat before taking the flight for Manila as he is scheduled to leave again for the Middle East.

Rabor said further investigation of the Air Transportation Office police disclosed that minutes after the plane took off at about 8 p.m., Castillo was overheard by a flight steward loudly whispering to his wife seated on his side that “akong bag naay bomba” (my bag has a bomb). 

The flight attendant immediately called the attention of the flight pilot, who in turn called Manila for an advice before having the plane on emergency landing back at the ZIA and briefly delayed the flight following the inspection. 

Chief Inspector Larry Domingo, Police Station 7 commander, said the subject was handcuffed and temporarily detained at the Sta. Maria police pending the filing of formal charges against him.

However, Domingo said they are ready to release Castillo if the management will not file the complaint citing the reglementary detention period.

Castillo told newsmen at the police station that he was just joking and under the influence of liquor, apologizing for the misdeeds. 

“Ngayo ko pasaylo sa pulis, management sa eroplano kay tiaw lang to nako sa akong asawa (I am asking for the apology to the police and the airline management because i was just joking to my wife),” a remorseful Castillo said, adding that it was not his intention to be heard as he tried to whisper the joke to his wife.