Report: Bomb scare prompts diversion of CDO flights to Davao

A reported "bomb threat" caused by an AUV left at a VIP parking area of the Laguindingan Airport prompted the diversion of several domestic flights bound for Cagayan de Oro City Thursday.

State-run Philippines News Agency said the affected flights belonged to air carriers such as Philippine Airlines Express and Cebu Pacific.

The PNA report said Cebu Pacific on Thursday afternoon diverted two flights—5J-389 and 5J-392—from Manila-Cagayan de Oro City to Davao International Airport due to the threat, supposedly a bomb scare, at Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental.

PAL Express Flight 2P-525, which was to arrive in Cagayan de Oro City, was instructed to return to Manila due to the threat.

Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group head Chief Superintendent Jesus Gordon Descanzo said that diverting flights is a standard precautionary measure.

Bomb scare

Descanzo said the "threat" stemmed from a white Toyota AUV (YFP-324) left at the VIP parking area, near the Laguindingan Airport's arrival area as early as 8 a.m.

PNP Aviation Security Group bomb experts with K-9 units inspected the vehicle, and were alerted when one of the dogs sat beside the vehicle, an indication of a possible explosive.

But a closer check showed the vehicle was loaded with paint. The PNP declared the area clear in the afternoon.

5 incoming flights affected

A separate report on Bombo Radyo said at least five incoming flights were not allowed to land at Laguindingan Airport due to the scare.

The bomb scare came in the wake of recent bombings in Mindanao, starting with a deadly blast at a shopping complex in Cagayan de Oro City last July 26. Eight people were killed.

Last Monday, a car bomb exploded in Cotabato City, killing nine. On Wednesday, three explosions occurred in North Cotabato and in Maguindanao. — BM, GMA News