After the false alarm called on Tuesday afternoon, the airport officials are holding an investigation on the pilot and the crew of Saudia Airlines.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) confirmed that the pilot and 17 crew members of the Saudia Airlines Flight SV 872 will undergo a behavioral and tactical interrogation following the supposed pre-landing hijacking that was later confirmed to be a false alarm.
The Saudi Arabian Airlines Flight SV 872 took off from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and landed at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) but communicated a distress call at the Manila Control Tower saying that the plane was “under threat”, 20 miles before landing.
According to MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal, the interrogation was called following the admission of the pilot that he has “mistakenly” pressed the distress button twice, communicating a threat inside the aircraft.
READ ALSO: FALSE ALARM: Saudia Plane Believed To Be Hijacked But Was Later Cleared.
Meanwhile, according to Cherie Mercado, spokeswoman of the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), they are convinced with the pilot’s statements and so they are pursuing the investigation in connection to the incident.
Read more on the next page.