Authorities reminded the public that making threats that cause public panic or disturbance like shooting threats or bomb threats can lead to the filing of cases against those responsible.

In October 2024, operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a 19-year-old student of a state university for making a bomb joke on social media, which caused fear among students and teachers.

In coordination with a social media platform, the NBI traced and identified the student.

The student was charged for violation of the Bomb Joke Threat Law and the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Authorities said this proves that no one is above the law and anyone on social media can be traced.

“We ask assistance from our cybercrime division in Manila and they were the ones who made coordination with Facebook, so Facebook gave us the details… the cellphone number used, the gadget used, and the IP address of the perpetrator,” said Gregorio Algoso, Jr., Executive Officer for Administration of NBI-CEVRO.

INVESTIGATION

In Cebu City, the city police office continues its investigation into the security threats made against schools and commercial establishments.

The latest threat was made against a school in Inayawan that was traced to a 13-year-old former student of the school.

Lt. Col. Franc Rudolf Oriol said the minor admitted to what she did and even opened her social media account that she used.

CCPO urged residents to avoid making threats because it can cause public disturbance, not to mention waste resources when authorities respond.

“Atong hangyo sa atong mga ginikanan nga magpakabana pud ta sa social media sa atong mga anak kay this could lead to a criminal case. Kung dili man siya menor de edad pero ang ginikanan naay responsibility,” Oriol said.

On July 2, a security threat disrupted classes at a private school in the city. Read story: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/114649/shooting-threat-disrupts-classes-at-cebu-school/story/

Several schools in the country have also suspended face-to-face classes following security threats. Among these are three schools in Bacolod City. Read story: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/114705/police-probe-security-threat-vs-4-schools-in-bacolod-city/story/

SAFETY PROGRAM

With the successive security threats made against schools, the NBI has partnered with schools so that students can be trained on steps they can take in the event a violent event takes place, like the shooting in a school in Tacloban City.

The deadly shooting, perpetrated by two minors - 14 and 15 years old - killed three students and injured several others.

“So far, we have takers of the school safety program and we would want to encourage all the other educational institutions to reach out to us,” said Maria Contessa Lastimoso, spokesperson of NBI-CEVRO.