Operations at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in Mandaluyong City came to a halt on Monday afternoon, March 24, after one of its staff members received a text message containing a bomb threat.

Employees at the Office of the Vice President evacuate after a staff member received a message about a bomb threat at the Robinsons Cybergate Plaza in Manadaluyong City. (OVP photo)

“OVP personnel were evacuated to a secured area of Robinsons Cybergate Plaza in Mandaluyong City immediately after a staff member reported receiving a text message containing a bomb threat,” a statement from the OVP said.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team from the Mandaluyong City Police Office was quickly dispatched to the OVP’s office to conduct a thorough search.

Vice President Sara Duterte, who is currently in The Hague attending to her father, said that she was already informed on Monday about the bomb scare in her office.

“Meron na kami (We have a) standard operating procedure na pag merong mga ganitong (when there are) bomb threats in the office. They did exactly that kung ano ‘yung sistema (what the system is),” she shared, adding that employees were evacuated and they are currently investigating the staff who received the bomb threat.

While no explosives were found and the OVP was able to resume operations at 4 p.m., Duterte's office reminded the public of the dangers of hoax bomb threats.

“Bomb threats are a serious matter concerning public security and safety,” the OVP said.

“The public is reminded that hoax bomb threats can endanger lives and are punishable by law under Presidential Decree No. 1727, also known as the Anti-Bomb Joke Law,” it added.

Punishment for disseminating false information or the willful making of threats concerning bombs, explosives, and other similar devices is imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to P40,000, or both.