Warning for sinulog: Bomb hoaxers will go to jail

CEBU, Philippines - Local authorities appealed to the public to refrain from spreading bomb hoaxes especially during the celebration of Sinulog this year as it creates panic.

Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor on peace and order, said those who will be caught spreading bomb jokes will be charged for violating Presidential Decree 1727.

PD 1727 prohibits the malicious dissemination of false information and willful threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device, through word of mouth, use of mail, telephone, telegraph, printed materials and other means of communication.

If found guilty, a person may face a penalty of not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more than P40,000 or both.

"As much as possible, please, hangyo lang ta nga ayaw. Kay makadungag og kahadlok sa atong katawhan. Any calls received sa command center is considered as emergency call," Tumulak told reporters.

He said bomb jokes can cause panic and inconvenience to the public and the government.

Last Wednesday, a netizen spread rumors about a bombing incident at the Fuente Osmeña rotunda when it was just a simulation exercise conducted by the police, emergency responders, and different organizations.

As this developed, Mayor Tomas Osmeña said the city government is tapping and mobilizing the different groups and organizations to maintain peace and order during the Sinulog celebration.

Yesterday, the Special Weapons and Tactics team of the Cebu City Police Office taught 156 officers of different motorcycle-for-hire organizations in the city how to detect bombs and explosives. Tumulak said these officers will re-echo the training to their members.

"The most important thing is they will be called peace auxiliaries on the streets. They would coordinate with the police and other government authorities in bomb detection or any suspicious movement in the field," he said.

He said next week it will be the turn of taxi and public utility jeepney drivers to receive the same training.

Senior Police Officer 4 Danilo Rosales, a SWAT member who is trained in explosive ordnance disposal, said it is beneficial for more people to be able to detect and identify bombs in the field.

"Makatabang ang drivers nga makaila unsay klase nga bomba para dali ra pud ta maka-respond kon mosumbong na sila sa kapolisan and dili g'yud pahilabtan kon dunay makit-ang bomba," he said.

Cebu City and Mountain Barangay Riders Association JY Chapter president Adrian Ceniza committed to help the local authorities in bomb detection.

"Ok ra ilang gihatag namo. Kay gihatagan pud mi og privilege nga makapasahero mi. Mo-report ra g'yud mi's mga police sa among barangay. Or sa barangay mo-report," he said.

Drones need permits

Flying drones will not be allowed during Sinulog activities unless their operators have authorization from both the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas.

Senior Superintendent Joel Doria, Cebu City Police Office director, said the regulation is part of the heightened security measures being implemented for Sinulog 2017.

"Even if may approval sa CAAP, needed pa rin ang RD (PRO-7 Regional Director Noli Taliño). Kailangan ng permit kasi delikado 'yan. Kasama 'yan sa security risk," he said.

Drone operators found without the permit may be arrested.

"Kung may nagpumilit, hanapin natin. May battery 'yan, maximum of 30 minutes, bababa 'yan. Tingnan mo lang saan bababa 'yan," he added.

Flying of drones is prohibited over airports and no-fly zones, including military training camps, Malacañang, and populated areas. Violators will be fined P300,000 to P500,000 per unauthorized flight.

Doria also said they are eyeing installing signal jammers along Sinulog parade routes as part of preventive measures against explosive devices.

He said security plans are now in place for Sinulog and that they have been on full alert since the bombing in Davao City which killed 14 people in September last year and the explosions in Hilongos, Leyte, that injured more than 30 people. (FREEMAN)