Sunday, February 12, 2006

Man Held Over Bomb Joke At Manila Airport

Philippine police detained a 71-year-old Japanese man at Manila Airport after he said he was carrying two bombs. "He is being held for a bad joke," said Rolando Estabillo, a spokesman for Philippine Airlines. "I am not sure whether police will set him free or file charges against him for some security violations." Signs at Manila's international and domestic airports warn passengers not to make jokes about carrying explosives. Airline and security officials said Yasou Ishii was being frisked by guards when he was overheard saying he had two bombs. His luggage was searched but police found no explosives. Estabillo said the Philippine Airlines flight left on time for Tokyo's Narita Airport without the man. "We don't tolerate any jokes," said airport police officer Fely Parariza.