Just prank, top cop says: DILG-7, DBM-7 get email bomb threat

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Interior and Local Government-7 and the Department of Budget and Management-7 received bomb threats via email the other day.

DILG-7 Regional Executive Director Rene Burdeos said that his staff received the email around lunchtime and he was immediately informed about it as he was not at his office at that time.

He said they immediately called up 911 and the Philippine National Police, which responded as soon as possible and searched their office. No bomb was found.

He said that because of the threat, the DILG-7 personnel were forced to go out. They returned after the inspection.

Burdeos said the DILG Central Office is now investigating the matter, considering that the bomb threat happens in all DILG regional offices.

"Wa gyud ta kahibalo ani og unsay motive sa nag-bomb threat. This matter is now being investigated," he said.

As to the DBM-7 bomb threat, Burdeos said their personnel also had to leave their building while the police combed its premises, and also found nothing.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office Acting Director Joel Doria said the threats were mere pranks and had no direct link to any terrorist group.

"Marami kasing prank jokes, mga ganyan, walang magawa sa buhay," he said.

Doria said the email was actually sent to a lot of e-mail addresses but was only given attention by DILG-7 and DBM-7.

Despite this, the Police Regional Office-7 Anti-Cyber Crime Unit will investigate the incident to track the prankster.

"Meron na man tayong batas tungkol diyan so nasa kanila yun.  Kung gusto nilang makulong, di ba marami na tayong napakulong tungkol diyan, nasa kanila yun. They will be on the losing end naman, kasi pag nakakulong na sila, magsisisi o nagbibiro lang," Doria said.

Four people were arrested barely two months ago after cracking bomb jokes inside public establishments.

They were jailed in violation of Presidential Decree 1727, which prohibits the malicious dissemination of false information or making jokes on the presence of bombs, explosives, and incendiary devices.

Verbal or written communication that conveys false information about the presence of bombs or similar devices is punishable with imprisonment of up to five years and/or a fine of up to P40,000 pesos. — (FREEMAN)