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.