Man held for bomb joke during Quiapo Church mass

MANILA, Philippines — A man was arrested for allegedly making a bomb joke during mass in Quiapo Church yesterday.

Dennis Espejo Garcia, 42, a resident of Barangay Talipapa in Quezon City, shouted “Magpapasabog ako (I will cause an explosion)!” during mass at around 5:30 a.m., according to a report from the Manila Police District (MPD)’s Plaza Miranda precinct.

A security guard assigned to the church was among those who heard Garcia shout, police said.

Police officers from the Plaza Miranda precinct were in the church as part of security measures for the traslacion or the procession of the Black Nazarene on Jan. 9, according to precinct commander Capt. Roel Robles.

Garcia reportedly pretended to have mental health issues when the police officers assisted by a security guard placed him under arrest.

Robles ordered Garcia to be brought to the nearest hospital.

The MPD charged Garcia with violating Presidential Decree 1727, the law against making bomb jokes.

If convicted, Garcia faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to P40,000, police said.