Israeli tourist charged for 'bomb' joke

CEBU CITY, Philippines - Charges were filed on Monday against an Israeli tourist who was arrested on Sunday afternoon at the Mactan International Airport for joking that he had a bomb in his shoes.Eliav Goali, 23, was charged with violating Presidential Decree 1727, which declares it unlawful to make a false bomb threat. He later apologized for the joke.Senior Superintendent Reynaldo Tañada, chief of the 7th Police Center for Aviation Security, said he informed the Israeli Embassy in Manila about the arrest of Goali.He said he spoke with Israeli Consul Nissin Palomo, who later informed the parents of Goali in Jerusalem about the arrest.The consul also talked with Goali over the phone. 

"Talagang bibigyan siya ng assistance kasi iyong Israeli national walang ka-pera-perang hawak para sa pyansa (He will be given assistance since the Israeli national doesn't have money to post bail)," he said.Goali is a tourist from Jerusalem who visited the Philippines for a few days. He was with his cousin and best friend Naor Narkisi, 25. 

He was on his way to Manila to board a plane for Bangkok enroute to Australia where he would meet his girlfriend.

Goali and Narkisi were supposed to board the 3:50 p.m. Cebu Pacific flight to Manila prior to catching a connecting flight to Bangkok in the evening.During the final security check, when Goali was asked to remove his shoes he told airport personnel "there's a bomb in my shoes."

The airport staff immediately called 7th PCAS personnel, who arrested the two.Gaoli was brought to the Lapu-Lapu police station.

On Monday, Goali was brought to the Lapu-Lapu city prosecutor's office for the filing of the complaint.Investigators said they expect the case to be filed in court.It would be up to the judge to decide whether to deport the Israeli or not