CEBU CITY – A 19-year-old female student was arrested after authorities pinpointed her in the hoax bomb threat that rocked a university here on Monday, Oct. 21.
THE National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas releases the mugshot of the 19-year-old student allegedly behind the hoax bomb threat in a university in Cebu City on Monday, Oct. 21. (Contributed photo)
The target of the bomb threat was the Cebu Technological University (CTU)-Main Campus where the suspect is a first-year Early Childhood Education student.
The student was arrested in her home in Barangay Tawason, Mandaue City on Thursday, Oct. 24.
Rennan Augustus Oliva, chief of the National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas (NBI-7), said the student has been charged and posted a P30,000 bail.
The student was charged for violation of Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
If convicted, the student faces up to six years imprisonment.
The bomb threat was made through Facebook where a netizen named “John Steve” warned that a bomb had been planted in CTU.
Oliva said the NBI Cybercrime Division was able to preserve the post and further investigation led them to the student.
It was found out that the Facebook account was linked to the student’s personal number that was also confirmed through her school records and GCash account.
During the arrest, which was captured by an NBI agent’s body-worn camera, the arresting team contacted the number that was linked to the Facebook account.
A mobile phone that was in the possession of the student rang when the number was dialed.
The student claimed that she was coerced to make the hoax bomb joke although she did not identify any person, who forced her to do the illegal act.
Marvey Arnoco-Ocampo, CTU Dean of Students’ Affairs, said the university is conducting its own investigation. She confirmed that the suspect is enrolled in CTU.
“She said that she was coerced by somebody,” said Ocampo.
Oliva said these kinds of illegal activities will not be taken lightly by authorities. “This will serve as a warning to those who do this kind of criminal act which threatens the safety and lives of citizens,” Oliva said.