PNP: Bomb scares traced to Japan

MANILA, Philippines — The bomb scares that hit six government offices and a public school in Laguna originated from Japan, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

Col. Jean Fajardo, the PNP’s chief publicist, said the investigation by the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) showed that the internet protocol (IP) address and domain of the device used to transmit the email message were not from the Philippines.

The culprit who sent the email introduced himself as Takahiro Karasawaya, supposedly a Japanese lawyer.

“We are coordinating with our foreign counterparts because it appears that the domain and IP address were traced outside the Philippines,” Fajardo said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

When asked if the bomb threats originated from Japan, Fajardo said yes.

The agencies that were hit by the bomb threats were the Department of Budget and Management’s central office, the DBM’s procurement service, National Economic and Development Authority, Department of the Interior and Local Government’s internal audit service, Department of Labor and Employment and the National Museum.

The Pangil Elementary School in Laguna also received the same threat.

Fajardo said the same bomb threat was also reported in Taiwan, China and South Korea.

Fajardo urged the public to exercise caution and refrain from sharing unverified information such as a bomb threat via email and social media platforms.

“This is prohibited under the law and you could be imprisoned for no less than five years and there is a fine,” she said.