Bomb joke at Roxas Night Market lands Samal resident in jail
A 34-YEAR-OLD Samal Island resident found himself in jail after Task Force Davao personnel arrested him for cracking a bomb joke at Roxas Night Market on Monday night.
Col. Darren Comia, Task Force Davao commander, identified him as Michael Jhon Algones Liporada, a resident of Sta Cruz, Kaputian, Island Garden City of Samal, Davao del Norte.
Based on the initial investigation, Liporada underwent an inspection like everyone who want to eat or purchase goods at the night market. As the security officers checked his bag, he allegedly shouted, “Bomb!”
He was detained while they searched his bag further, which yielded negative for explosives.
Liporada is presently in the custody of the Sta. Ana Police Station, where he would be charged with violating Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.
If convicted, Liporada may be sentenced to five years imprisonment or a P40,000 fine, or both.
The suspect is the second person this year arrested over a bomb joke.
On Jan. 30, a 59-year-old overseas contract worker was detained over a bomb joke at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport.
One of the airline’s customer service testified that the passenger uttered a bomb joke to a flight attendant during the boarding process for the Manila-bound plane.
She was brought to the Davao International Airport Police Station for investigation.
The Aviation Security Group warned passengers to avoid cracking jokes or pulling pranks that may sow public panic.
“I sternly warn those who still do not understand the effect of bomb jokes to refrain from doing it. Otherwise, they will face the consequences of their action as we will strictly enforce laws and regulations in the interest of public safety.” Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin, PNP Avsegroup chief, said.
