MANILA — Filipino commandos got triggered into action this week by mistake after a Saudia airlines gaffe at Manila airport. <br /> <br />According to an Associated Press report, crew on board a Saudi Arabian Airlines flight made a hijack distress call around 30 miles from Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Tuesday. <br /> <br />The crew confirmed the call twice, airport manager Eddie Monreal said, but the aircraft’s captain later confirmed to the control tower that the button was pushed accidentally. <br /> <br />The plane was taken to an isolated location after landing and checked, Monreal said, adding that security forces were sent in as a precautionary measure. <br /> <br />“It is fortunate that upon landing ... the crew said they made a mistake,” Monreal is quoted as saying in an ITV report. <br /> <br />“However, we can never play around with safety and security. It (the button) was unintentionally pushed. But the problem is it was pushed twice.” <br /> <br />The plane was carrying 410 passengers and 21 crew. <br /> <br />Officials from the Philippines’ Civil Aviation Authority are investigating the incident and may impose “penalties or sanction” if the pilot is found to be at fault. <br /> <br />No pilots were detained as a result of the incident.
