The Philippines has placed all its commercial airports on high alert following an anonymous tip that bombs could be detonated on planes departing from Manila, including numerous tourist hotspots, the country’s civil aviation authority said Friday.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said in a media advisory that Immediate enhanced security measures were being deployed at 42 commercial airports around the country, adding that the warnings were being confirmed.
The warning was received through email to air traffic services regarding a threat to flights departing Manila bound for Davao, Bicol, and the popular tourist destinations of Palawan and Cebu.
“While the information is currently under validation, immediate enhanced security measures are being implemented across all airports”, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) continued.
CAAP did not specify when the notice was made.
After receiving the email threat, the aviation regulator issued a directive to airport security managers on October 4 ordering them to step up security, carefully inspect baggage, and undertake round-the-clock surveillance.
The memo from Oct. 4 contained a screenshot of what it said was the threat, which warned an “airplane will explode at Manila’s international airport today and please beware”.
“Cebu, Palawan, Bicol, and Davao will also be hit”, the anonymous email added.
Philippines Airlines, according to a source who declined to be identified because they were not authorized to speak to the media, is conducting business as usual.
Cebu Pacific Air’s representative stated that the airline was following usual protocols.
According to Transport Secretary Jaime Bautista, patrols have been enhanced and K9 units have deployed at all terminals of Manila’s international airport, and law enforcement agencies are working closely together.
In a statement, Bautista stated, “There are no expected impacts to any scheduled flights and we would like to ensure the traveling public that protocols are in place to ensure everyone’s safety and security”.
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