ILOILO CITY — January 28, 2026 — A male passenger was shot in the chest by authorities at the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo after allegedly brandishing a bladed weapon inside the terminal, the Department of Transportation’s Office for Transportation Security (OTS) confirmed on Wednesday.

In a statement, the OTS said that one of its security screening officers flagged a prohibited item inside the passenger’s bag during an X-ray inspection, prompting a request for secondary screening. The suspect reportedly seized his bag from the machine and fled the screening area when asked to undergo manual baggage inspection. According to the OTS, the passenger then retrieved a “bladed weapon,” which led to immediate intervention by airport police.

“Personnel of the Philippine National Police promptly intervened and undertook appropriate action to prevent possible injury to surrounding passengers and airport personnel. In the course of this response, the passenger was shot in the chest. He was subsequently brought to a nearby hospital for medical treatment,” the OTS said in its official statement.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) confirmed that the incident briefly disrupted operations at the airport as authorities secured the area. Flights were temporarily delayed due to the lockdown, but resumed normal operations by Wednesday evening.

Police identified the suspect as Roland Lañojan, a 54-year-old resident of Sagay, Camiguin. Initial reports from the Iloilo Police Provincial Office stated that the suspect resisted inspection and attempted to stab an officer before being shot. He was later transported to the Western Visayas Sanitarium and General Hospital in Sta. Barbara for the treatment of his injuries.

Authorities recovered a plane ticket indicating that the suspect was bound for Davao. Investigators are still determining his motive and whether the incident was linked to personal or mental health issues.

The Department of Transportation assured the public that security protocols remain in place to protect passengers. Officials emphasized that the swift response of airport police prevented potential harm to travelers and staff.

The incident has sparked renewed discussions about airport security measures in provincial terminals. While Iloilo International Airport has long been considered one of the busiest gateways in Western Visayas, the event highlighted the risks posed by passengers attempting to carry prohibited items.

As of Thursday morning, the suspect remains under medical care while police continue their investigation. The DOTr and CAAP reiterated their commitment to ensuring the safety of passengers and maintaining strict enforcement of security regulations at all airports nationwide.

This case underscores the importance of vigilance in airport security and the need for passengers to comply with screening procedures to avoid dangerous situations.

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