AN offloading of passengers due to misinterpretation of an LGBT conversation inside the aircraft took place at the Bacolod-Silay Airport, Brgy. Bagtic, Silay City, Negros Occidental on October 19, 2024.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), in a report released by spokesman Eric Apolonio, said that at approximately 11:10 a.m., an incident occured inside Cebu Pacific Flight 5J486 involving passengers identified only as R. Aleroso and E. Erise.
During a conversation between the two, Aleroso asked Erise, “Oi, naubos na ba ‘yong watusi mo?” — a reference to a condom in the LGBTQ community language.
However, the term “watusi” is also locally known as a type of firecracker. Cabin crew member Samantha , who was nearby fixing overhead luggage, overheard the conversation.
Concerned about the potential reference to a firecracker, she approached the passengers to clarify the meaning of “watusi.”
Aleroso explained to Samantha that he was referring to a condom and apologized if his words were inappropriate within the aircraft. The cabin crew immediately reported the matter to the pilot-in-command, who then informed Cebu Pacific management.
As a precaution, the airline made the decision to deplane all passengers and cargo for a K9 bomb-sniffing inspection and security paneling.
At 11:20 a.m., PEMS Robert F. Rodillas, Team Leader of the EOD/K9 unit from Bacolod-Silay Airport, arrived at the scene. The team conducted a thorough inspection of all luggage, hand-carry items and the aircraft cabin.
By 1 p.m., Cebu Pacific Flight 5J486 was cleared and departed for Manila without further incident.
At 1:21 p.m., Cebu Pacific Bacolod staff rebooked Aleroso and Erise on Flight 5J488 scheduled for later that afternoon.
