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Saudi Airlines plane isolated at Manila Airport after 'false hijacking alarm' Saudi Airlines plane isolated at Manila Airport after 'false hijacking alarm'
(about 1 hour later)
A reported hijacking on a Saudia airlines plane at Manila Airport was a false alarm, authorities say. A false alarm over a reported hijacking on a Saudia airlines plane carrying more than 400 people has sparked a huge security operation at Manila Airport.
The pilot informed air traffic controllers the aircraft was "under threat" but authorities later said there was no danger. The pilot informed air traffic controllers the aircraft was "under threat" as it came into land in the Philippines on Tuesday but authorities later said there was no danger.
In a statement its official Twitter account, Saudia - also known as Saudi Arabian Airlines - attributed the incident to a "false alarm for hijacking". Saudia - also known as Saudi Arabian Airlines - attributed the incident to a "false alarm for hijacking" in a statement.
The Manila International Airport Authority said investigations were underway on Tuesday afternoon after the plane mistakenly sent a distress call. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said investigations were underway on Tuesday afternoon after the plane mistakenly sent a distress call.
Flight SV872, from Jeddah, was 20 miles from landing when the threat was reported, with controllers sending the Boeing 777 to land in an isolated area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Flight SV872, from Jeddah, was 20 miles from landing when the threat was reported, with controllers sending the Boeing 777 to land in an isolated area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. 
The chief of Metro Manila Police told a local radio station "there is a situation" at the airport and said he was travelling there immediately. Officials said a hijack warning button was repeatedly pressed by the flight crew, sparking the mobilisation of security forces and isolation procedures.
The plane landed at around 3pm local time (8am BST), according to local reports, with television footage showing emergency services at the scene. Eddie Monreal, manager of the MIAA, said the distress call was sounded twice but the pilot later told air traffic controllers the signal was a mistake.
Passengers were later allowed to disembark from the aircraft. The plane landed at around 3pm local time (8am BST), with television footage showing emergency services at the scene.
The incident came as millions of Muslims return from carrying out the annual Hajj pilgrimage in the Saudi Arabian cities of Mecca and Medina. Its 410 passengers and 21 crew were later allowed to disembark from the aircraft, with some wearing the traditional white clothing signifying they had carried out the Hajj pilgrimage.
Security is high in the Philippines amid an Islamist insurgency by the Isis-affiliated Abu Sayyaf group in the south and the ongoing "war on drugs" waged by President Rodrigo Duterte. The incident came as millions of Muslims return from the annual journey to the Saudi Arabian cities of Mecca and Medina, which must be carried out once by every Muslim according to the five pillars of Islam.
In February, Philippine officials announced they had strengthened security for Saudi Arabia's embassy in Manila and its national airline, with armed officers posted to guard the Saudia boarding zone and luggage bays because of a possible threat. 
Security remains high in the Philippines amid an Islamist insurgency by the Isis-affiliated Abu Sayyaf group in the south and the ongoing "war on drugs" waged by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Since he took office in June, more than 3,000 suspected drug users and dealers have been killed by security forces and vigilantes, raising international alarm over judicial process.Since he took office in June, more than 3,000 suspected drug users and dealers have been killed by security forces and vigilantes, raising international alarm over judicial process.
Among them is Aurora Moynihan, the daughter of the late peer Lord Anthony Moynihan, who was found shot dead in Manila with a note reading: "Pusher to the celebrities, you are next".Among them is Aurora Moynihan, the daughter of the late peer Lord Anthony Moynihan, who was found shot dead in Manila with a note reading: "Pusher to the celebrities, you are next".