Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte vowed to go after people who spread information or pranks about bomb threats after several schools in the city were hit by such scares that caused disruption of classes.
“Our schools are supposed to be a safe place for our students, and we will not take these pranks and threats lightly,” Belmonte said on Friday, Jan. 27.
The lady mayor said the New Era Elementary School, Emilio Jacinto Senior High School, San Francisco High School and Ponciano Bernardo High School recently received bomb threats, prompting school officials to suspend classes.
The Quezon City Police District’s (QCPD) explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit did not find any bombs or explosives in the said schools following thorough inspections in the areas.
“Our QCPD Anti-Cybercrime Group is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and we will track down anyone behind these bomb scares that could cause disruption and danger to our communities,” QCPD director Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said.
Belmonte also called on the City Council to craft an ordinance that will recommend heavier penalties or fines for individuals who disseminate false information about bomb threats.
The local government said that bomb threats or pranks are considered a violation under Presidential Decree No. 1727 (Malicious Dissemination of False information or Willful Making of Any Threat Concerning Bombs, Explosives or Any Similar Device or Means of Destruction).
The presidential decree was approved by the late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in 1980.