The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed support for a proposed measure in the Senate that seeks to impose stiffer penalties against individuals responsible for making and disseminating hoax bomb threats.

The proposed legislative action, introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada under Senate Bill No. 1076 or “False Bomb Threat Prohibition Act,” seeks to amend the Bomb Joke or Bomb Threat Law (Presidential Decree No. 1727) by imposing harsher penalties on individuals responsible for false bomb threats.

The proposed measure also seeks to expand the scope of penalties to include threats transmitted through social media, messaging applications, and other digital platforms.

Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, said the proposed law would help prevent the growing number of hoax bomb threats, particularly those made through digital platforms.

“The Philippine National Police supports this proposed measure as this will add more teeth in running after those engaging in bomb threats, including through the online platforms,” he said in a statement Friday, Nov. 7.

According to Estrada, the Bomb Joke/Threat Law is already outdated and must be updated to address the recent surge in hoax threats that cause widespread panic and disruption.

Just last Oct. 22, after a hoax bomb threat disrupted classes at Davao Wisdom Academy, prompting mass evacuations.

Similar false threats were reported at Bicol University and Batangas University in previous months.

In Pampanga, authorities filed charges against a 21-year-old woman accused of sending online bomb threats to multiple schools. Aa similar scare earlier this year temporarily suspended operations at the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

This prompted Nartatez to strengthen coordination with telecommunications companies, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), and social media platform administrators to curb the spread of bomb threat hoaxes.

Under the current law, anyone who knowingly spreads false information or threats, whether verbally or through any form of communication, about an attempt to harm people or destroy property using explosives or similar destructive means can be punished with up to five years in prison, a fine of up to P40,000, or both, at the court’s discretion.

But with the proposed law, Estrada is pushing for stiffer penalties for those who deliberately spread fake information about bombs, explosives, or incendiary devices in public places, proposing imprisonment of six to twelve years and fines ranging from P1 million to P5 million, or both.

Nartatez said a technical working group (TWG) from the PNP may be formed to provide insights and technical input to help refine the measure.

“Through this proposed law, we are sending a clear message that those who weaponize fear through false threats will be brought to justice. Hindi natin papayagan na ang mga maling banta ay gamitin para magdulot ng takot at kaguluhan sa ating mga komunidad,” Nartatez said.