Man boards Cebu Pacific plane without ticket

Amid security concerns on the eve of the Valentine's Day bombing, a commuter was able to slip past airport personnel and board a Cebu Pacific flight without an airline ticket, dzBB radio Tuesday. Flight attendants of the Cebu Pacific flight 5J 265 discovered that they had an "extra passenger" while they were in already in transit to Dumaguete City. The pilot then turned the aircraft around and returned to the Manila Domestic Airport in Pasay City. The Philippine National Police (PNP) Aviation Security Group identified the surprise passenger as Edcel Reyes, who now faces estafa raps for his act. Investigation showed that Edcel used the airline ticket of his brother, Edgar, to secure his own boarding pass and get through airport inspection points. Edgar will also be charged with estafa, the dzBB report said. Edgar's ticket bore the name, "E Reyes." The report came as the PNP hoised Tuesday morning heightened alert status on all of its units in Metro Manila. Increased police visibility was ordered in oil depots and transport facilities, especially the metropolis' train and bus systems. Police officials denied receiving intelligence reports of terrorist threats, adding that the heightened security order was just a "precautionary" measure. At least eight people were killed and over 90 injured in bombings that hit Makati City in Metro Manila, and the southern cities of General Santos and Davao on Feb. 14, 2005. - GMANews.TV