(Eagle News)–A party-list representative was briefly held at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after he allegedly cracked a bomb joke on Thursday, July 25.
Maj. Querico Tomotorgo, chief of the Philippine National Police Aviation Station 2, said in an interview over radio dzbb that APEC Rep. Sergio Dagooc was briefly held at Terminal 2 after the incident prior to his flight to Cagayan de Oro.
According to Tomotorgo, Dagooc cracked the joke to NAIA personnel, who had noticed his bag’s weight had exceeded the allowable weight.
“Tinanong siya kung ano ang laman (ng bag) niya. Nagreply si Rep. Dagooc na damit. Nagfurther ng question: ‘Ano pang mga iba?’ Ang sagot ni Mr. Dagooc, ‘bomba,’” Tomotorgo said.
The police official said Tomotorgo was released after his lawyer, who went to the airport, invoked Article 6 Section 11 of the Constitution.
Under the provision, members of Congress facing allegations of crimes which are punishable by more than six years of imprisonment cannot be arrested while Congress is in session.
Tomotorgo said, however, that charges may still be filed by Philippine Airlines against the lawmaker.
