AVIATION security police at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Wednesday seized a suitcase filled with bomb components while about to be taken into Cebu Pacific Flight 5J-475 bound for Bacolod City.

Members of the airport’s Police Center for Aviation Security at the Naia Terminal 3 found a red suitcase containing an undetermined number of explosives components, such as squib black powder, firecrackers, matches, improvised explosive device, transistor with battery, remote control with battery and many more.

The police, together with members of the Office of Transportation Security manning the X-ray machine at the initial check, intercepted the suitcase.

Supt. Manuel Pintado, head of the National Police Aviation Security Group detachment at Naia, said three officials from the Explosive Ordnance Division of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) said they brought the explosive component as part of a training exercise in Bacolod City.

However, the components were confiscated because the carriers did not have a permit from the National Police Firearms and Explosive Division. They also failed to coordinate with airport security authorities.

Pintado said only flag carrier Philippine Airlines is licensed to carry explosives because it is authorized by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and has expertise in packaging explosives.

“Bawal na bawal po isakay sa eroplano ang mga ganitong kargamento lalo na kung walang kaukulang papeles,” Pintado said.

The three Pagcor officials who will be charged with illegal transport of explosives are Eriberto Orbase Jr., Jaime Vibar and Romeo Pastor, all explosive experts, whom the airport authorities allowed to leave for Bacolod City on the same flight and are expected to be back on Friday.