Classes were canceled while police searched inside school premises in Taguig after a Facebook account posted threats to blow up facilities and kill students on Monday, Nov. 7.
"Papatayin ko lahat ng mga estudyante sa taguig signal village taguig city," a Facebook account with the name Sofia Smith commented on a post by the Taguig City government Facebook account.
"Kagaya ng nangyare sa thailand humanda kayo magpapasabog ako dyan sa signal papaptyin ko kayong lahat," Smith added. "Lahat ng estudyante."
"Papatayin ko lahat ng mga estudyante sa sa signal humanda kayong lahat hahaha papatyin ko lahat lahat," the account added.
Taguig police chief Col. Robert Baesa issued a statement on Nov. 7 about the bomb threat.
"We, the PNP Taguig, together with the local government unit, are committed to undertake measures to protect the Taguigeños especially the students against threats, intimidation, and crimes, including those perpetuated through social media platforms," he stated.
He added, "We are currently conducting validation of the screenshot of the comment message circulating online and also an in-depth investigation with the PNP-Anti Cybercrime Group on the immediate identification of the suspect."
Baesa said, "I have also directed and alerted the Commander of Sub-Station 6, SWAT and EOD/K9 team to conduct paneling and patrolling in all schools in Taguig especially in Signal Village."
"Sa ngayon ay sinuspende ng Signal Village ang mga klase para maibsan yung takot at panic ng ating kababayan sa post na ito. Habang ginagawa ng ating kapulisan ang lahat na hakbang upang matiyak ang seguridad ng ating mga estudyante at lahat ng staff sa mga eskwelahan, hinihikayat namin ang bawat isa na maging kalmado, alerto at agad l- report sa amin ang kahina-hinalang bagay o kilos (Classes have been suspended in Signal village to ease the panic sown by the online messages. The police force is doing everything to ensure the safety and security of all the students and school personnel. We urge everyone to remain calm and alert and to report to the police any suspicious movements)," he said.
Call for sobriety
The Taguig City government has called for sobriety amid the bomb threats made by a Facebook user on Nov. 7.
Here is the city government's statement:
"Alarming threats of violence in a public school in the City of Taguig circulated on social media this morning. The local government received these reports and immediately coordinated with the Philippine National Police.
"The Philippine National Police, Special Weapons and Tactics team, and bomb squad deployed units to the school. They secured the premises and checked the buildings and their vicinity for any explosive device.
"NO bomb or explosive was found during the sweeping operation, contrary to information spreading online.
"The City of Taguig calls on everyone to remain calm. Together with the Philippine National Police, the city government will continue ensuring the safety of everyone.
"The city government encourages everyone to refrain from sharing false information which tends to cause panic and alarm in the community."