Cebu Pacific on Monday said it is investigating an alleged slapping incident involving a passenger and one of its cabin crew members.
In a statement, Cebu Pacific the incident occurred on Saturday, July 30, in one of the flights from Manila to Davao.
The airline said one of the flight's passengers "had expressed dissatisfaction" to the cabin crew member prior to departure at having to stow baggage in the overhead bin as a safety requirement.
"Following arrival in Davao and upon disembarkation from the aircraft, the passenger physically assaulted another member of the cabin crew by slapping her on the face," the airline said.
Cebu Pacific said it is supporting its cabin crew member, who is "considering filing charges against the passenger."
The passenger has not been named but the airline vows to stand by its flight attendant.
"Cebu Pacific will always fully support its staff when they have been subject to abuse, physical or verbal, from disruptive passengers," the airline said.
"Actions that Cebu Pacific will consider will be to refuse carriage of the passenger on any future Cebu Pacific flight, along with legal support to its staff member if charges are deemed appropriate," it added.
Republic Act No. 9497 prohibits passengers from interfering or threatening crew members or flight attendants while onboard the aircraft. Violators face an "imprisonment from one (1) year to three (3) years or a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (Php50,000.00) but not exceeding Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00), or both, as determined by the court.