Police warn Filipinos against bomb jokes on buses

MANILA, July 19 (Reuters) Filipino commuters face jail and large fines if they crack jokes about bombs on buses after a spate of deadly attacks, the police warned today.

Andres Caro, a regional police chief, said they would start enforcing a law banning bomb gags on public transport after two men on a bus caused panicked earlier this week when they joked about carrying a bomb in their luggage.

''I wanted to remind everyone that we have a bomb joke law since the 1970s,'' Caro told reporters. ''We only have to enforce the law strictly in the interest of public safety.'' ''We have to be serious about this.'' Seven commuter buses have been bombed on the troubled southern island of Mindanao since April, killing nearly 15 people and wounding close to 50.

Most of the attacks, including yesterday's, were related to extortion activities but suspected Islamic militants were blamed for an attack on a bus in June that killed 10 people.

Caro said people convicted of cracking bomb jokes face a 5-year jail term and fine of 40,000 pesos (880 dollar). The offence is a non-bailable crime.

The Philippines already strictly enforces the bomb joke law in airports, arresting foreign tourists and local movie stars after their ill-advised quips caused flight delays and even cancellations.

REUTERS GT DS1230