BACOLOD CITY — Authorities found no explosives after responding to an alleged online bomb threat targeting schools and several establishments in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday.
Under Presidential Decree No. 1727, maliciously disseminating false information concerning bombs or explosives in the Philippines is punishable by up to five years in prison or a fine of up to PHP 40,000.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said the threat was posted in a public Facebook group called “6127 Marketplace San Carlos City.”
An account operating under the name “Jim San” published the alarming post.
The post claimed that explosives would be planted at local schools, an ongoing job fair and the Empire One Business Process Outsourcing center.
The San Carlos City Police Station immediately launched security inspections across the city.
Local police coordinated with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Philippine Coast Guard’s San Carlos Canine Unit.
A Coast Guard bomb detection dog was deployed to inspect multiple potential targets.
Authorities swept the San Carlos City Auditorium and VIAST Outsource Solutions along East Carmona Street in Barangay 4.
The canine unit also inspected Empire One BPO along the Eco Translink Highway in Barangay 2.
Following thorough inspections, authorities confirmed that no explosives or suspicious items were present at any of the identified locations.
“While the inspection yielded negative results, we treat every reported threat with utmost seriousness,” said Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director.
Police advised management and employees at the affected establishments to remain highly vigilant.
Authorities urged the public to immediately report suspicious individuals, unattended packages or unusual activities to the nearest police station or through the 911 emergency hotline.
Cardiño said regional police are coordinating with cybercrime investigators to identify the individual responsible for the social media post.
The regional police office reminded the public that generating false bomb threats on social media or other platforms is a serious criminal offense.
Authorities urged residents to remain calm, use social media responsibly and avoid spreading unverified information to prevent unnecessary public panic.
The Center for Public Safety and Resilience under the city’s disaster risk reduction office strongly condemned acts that undermine peace and public safety.
The center stressed its ongoing commitment to protecting lives and promoting harmony within the local community.
“We do not tolerate vehement acts that do not abide with the values of good will, peace and harmony in the community. We value and uphold humanity above all,” the center said in a statement.
This incident occurred just days after a separate online bomb threat targeted Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Authorities later declared the Dumaguete incident a false threat after thorough sweeps revealed no explosive devices on the campus. (Glazyl M. Jopson via tdg photo by tdg)