City
Epaper

Australian arrested for cracking bomb joke at airport in Philippines

By IANS | Updated: July 4, 2024 16:45 IST

Manila, July 4 Philippine police have arrested an Australian national for cracking a bomb joke while checking in ...

Open in App

Manila, July 4 Philippine police have arrested an Australian national for cracking a bomb joke while checking in at an airport in Zamboanga del Norte province in the southern Philippines, a local news outlet reported on Thursday.

The GMA News Online report said police detained a 69-year-old Australian national on Wednesday after he told an airport security officer in Dipolog City that he was carrying a bomb, reported Xinhua news agency.

When the airport agent asked the man if his bag contained electronic devices, he allegedly said: "No, just an atomic bomb." Sensing that the joke did not amuse the agent, the passenger said it was a joke.

Authorities arrested the man, albeit no bomb was found in his bag. And he is now facing charges for violation of the anti-bomb joke law, the local media reported.

Bomb jokes are banned in the Philippines. Security and law enforcers seriously take jokes that refer to bombs, explosives, or any instruments of violence while at the airport or on board any flights.

Eight bomb jokes were reported in 2023, and the airport authorities logged three incidents as of January 2024. The incidents happened in different airports, check-in counters, hold baggage areas, and inside aircraft.

In May, the Philippines' immigration bureau warned that foreign nationals involved in bomb jokes may face denial of entry to the Southeast Asian country or deportation.

Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Open in App

Related Stories

InternationalAU welcomes latest development between Congo, M23

Other SportsThe Open: Scheffler holds 4-shot lead at Royal Portrush, inches closer to victory

EntertainmentRasha Thadani is in awe of ‘Saiyaara’, lavishes praise on lead pair

InternationalSyrian interim govt begins phased implementation of ceasefire in Sweida as clashes continue

InternationalRussia strikes Ukrainian military enterprises

International Realted Stories

International37 dead as tourist boat capzises in Vietnam's Halong Bay

InternationalTwo Indians killed, one abducted in terror attack in Niger; Indian Mission in touch with local authorities

InternationalSaudi Arabia's 'Sleeping Prince' dies after 20 years in coma

InternationalHong Kong issues T10 hurricane signal, highest warning for Typhoon Wipha

InternationalAll eyes on ruling coalition as Japan goes for Upper House Polls