Bomb threat at RP airport

Bomb threat at RP airport

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (DPA): Police stepped up security
over the Christmas holidays at a key southern Philippine airport
following bomb threats from suspected Moslem terrorists,
officials said yesterday.

With Zamboanga City International Airport crowded with
travelers on the holiday, police said they had received telephone
calls from unidentified men claiming time bombs were planted
inside the terminal building.

"A caller told me on the phone that bombs would go off at any
time," said Purita Briones, with the Air Transportation Office.

The initial threats were phoned in Saturday by callers
speaking in local dialects.

A heavily-armed anti-terrorist squad with sniffer dogs
searched the airport, but found no trace of a bomb. Police
branded the threats a hoax, but deployed additional security as a
precaution.