Pinoy detained in Hong Kong after running amok on plane

A Filipino is now under the custody of the Hong Kong police after running amok and attacking two cabin crew members on a plane flight from Bangkok to Hong Kong earlier this week. According to a report of radio dzBB on Saturday, a 52-year-old Filipino assaulted the crew members and demanded that he be let off the Cathay Pacific plane minutes before touchdown. A report of the news site The Standard said the incident happened as the plane, carrying some 400 passengers, was preparing to land at the Hong Kong International Airport at around 7:00 p.m. on Monday. The Filipino reportedly attacked two flight attendants and held one of them at knife-point. Two passengers subdued the Filipino, including Mongolian wrestler Zayabaatar Buyannemekh, who immobilized him with a "neck lock." The Mongolian said he saw the Filipino "struggling with three flight attendants, demanding and trying to open the door." The Standard quoted an aviation expert who said it was "almost impossible" to open the door of an aircraft in flight because of the air pressure pushing against the door from outside. Shortly after the plane landed in Hong Kong, the Filipino was placed under arrest for disorderly behavior. He was subjected to psychological tests and now faces charges for disorderly conduct aboard an aircraft. The Filipino will appear in Tsuen Wan Magistrates' Court on May 2. The Standard said a Philippine consulate spokeswoman confirmed the incident but declined to give further details about the Filipino's identity. Mental problems Cathay Pacific Airways Flight Attendants' Union chairwoman Dora Lai Yuk-sim cited attendants on the flight as saying the attacker may have had some mental problems. They said he kept walking back and forth on the plane before rushing into the business class section and holding an attendant at knife-point. "One of the cabin crew was slightly injured during the incident and she was sent to a hospital for examination. She was discharged later the same day," she added. Two passengers who helped control the Filipino were slightly hurt but did not require hospitalization. The Cathay Pacific spokeswoman also said the incident was not terrorism-related. Meanwhile, wrestler Buyannemekh received a bravery award from the Mongolian government for his deed, a report in South China Morning Post said. It said Buyannemekh arrived home to a hero's welcome, greeted by officials and media, and was presented an award for bravery by Mongolian Prime Minister Sukhbaatar Batbold Wednesday. Batbold praised Buyannemekh for foiling a terrorist attempt and saving the lives of many people, the SCMP report said. — LBG/VVP, GMA News