The City Prosecutor’s Office has initiated inquest proceedings against the woman, tagged as person of interest, in the bomb scare that disrupted operations in City Hall Wednesday morning, on charges of violation of Presidential Decree 1727.
PD 1727, the Anti-Bomb Joke law, declares as unlawful the malicious dissemination of false information or the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device or means of destruction.
City Security Unit (CSU) led by Christopher Mandi said Police Station 11 is closely working with his office and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (CDRRMO), City Legal office and the City Mayor’s Office, where the bomb threats were made, to build a tighter case.
The suspect is a 30-year old woman and an employee of a garments shop in the city. Her location was traced following background investigation conducted by authorities on the telephone number that was registered in the caller ID of the CDRRMO where the bomb threat was first relayed.
Through the inquest proceedings, the City Prosecutor’s Office will conduct an informal and summary investigation on the charges against the suspect to determine whether or not there is a probable cause.
Recall that Mayor John Dalipe has ordered security forces to conduct an in-depth investigation of the prank calls to determine the caller’s identity and location and consequent arrest.
The bomb scare, resulting from telephone calls to 3 offices under City Hall shortly before 9am prompted the Bomb Squad of the Zamboanga City Police Office to conduct a thorough search of the entire City Hall building including the outside premises. Nonetheless, authorities found no explosives. (Sheila Covarrubias, photo courtesy of CSU)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)