Zamboanga International Airport Temporarily Shut Down After Bomb Threat on Cebu Pacific Flight

By Sherman Calotes | Philippine People's Press 

Operations at the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) were briefly suspended on Saturday morning, June 14, following a bomb threat discovered aboard a commercial aircraft.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the incident involved Cebu Pacific flight 5J851 from Manila, which had already landed and disembarked passengers when a cabin crew member discovered a suspicious note inside one of the plane’s lavatories. The note reportedly contained the message “may bomba” (there is a bomb).

The discovery was immediately reported to airport ground security personnel, prompting the swift activation of aviation security protocols. The Aviation Security Unit (AVSEU) conducted a full sweep of the aircraft, while authorities also performed a precautionary inspection of the airport’s Passenger Terminal Building to ensure the safety of the public and airport personnel.

“No explosives were found during the inspection,” CAAP confirmed in an official statement. “The situation was quickly placed under control, and safety measures were completed according to standard procedures.”

Airport operations were temporarily halted during the inspection but resumed shortly after the area was declared safe. All passengers were re-screened, and flight activities continued without further disruptions.

Authorities have yet to identify the source of the threat. Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the note and the person responsible for the false alarm.

CAAP assured the public that the safety of passengers remains the top priority and that it continues to uphold strict security measures across all commercial airports nationwide.

Philippine People’s Press | In Truth We Prevail 
Photo courtesy of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)