POLICE respond to a bomb threat in Santa Cruz, Laguna. (Photo via Danny Estacio)
SANTA CRUZ, Laguna -- The local government unit suspended classes in public and private schools on all levels as well as government offices due to an alleged bomb threat in this town on Wednesday, June 18.
The Police Regional Office 4-A said at about 6:46 a.m., information was received regarding a bomb threat and reported by Loredel Gacalao, the school principal of Sta. Cruz Central Elementary School.
At 7:04 a.m., the Santa Cruz Municipal Police Station-Tactical Operations Center received the information and proceeded to the school to investigate and it was found out that Gacalao received a message from the FB page DepEd Tayo Laguna Senior High saying: Warning kami ay anonymous group na nagpapasabog ng mga gusali, kami ay may mga itinanim na bomba sa ibat-ibang paaralan sa Santa Cruz kasama na din ang munisipyo, capitolyo, Guevara, LSHS, Santa Cruz Integrated Complex, central ito ay naka-self destruct sasabog ito paglipas ng ilang oras nakatanim ito sa basurahan at ibang gusali sa nasabing paaralan.
Upon verification by authorities, all schools mentioned were notified and suspended operations and instructed students to go home.
No untoward incident was reported.
Mayor Edgar “Kuya Egay” San Luis confirmed the bomb threat.
“Ngayong araw, kumakalat ang isang mensahe sa social media ukol sa umano’y bomb threat sa ating bayan. Bilang tugon at pag-iingat, suspendido po ang pasok sa lahat ng antas ng pampubliko at pribadong paaralan, gayundin ang operasyon ng ating lokal na pamahalaan ay pansamantalang ihihinto habang sinisiyasat ito ng ating mga awtoridad, San Luis posted.
Hinihikayat po ang lahat na huwag agad maniwala sa mga hindi opisyal na impormasyon. Sa ganitong sitwasyon, ang maling balita ay maaaring magdulot ng takot, kaguluhan, at panganib.
“Paalala po sa mga nagpapakalat ng ganitong uri ng mensahe: May batas na umiiral laban sa pagpapalaganap ng takot at. Hindi po ito biro. Sa ganitong panahon, mas kailangan ang malasakit at pag-iingat, San Luis said.