Bomb scare hits 4 schools in Laguna

MANILA, Philippines — Bomb threats sent through social media disrupted classes in four public schools in San Pedro, Laguna on Monday.

The threats were made by a netizen, who used the name Vamir Muhhamad on Facebook.

Police are verifying the identity of the netizen.

A week ago, seven government offices and two schools in Metro Manila, Bataan and Zambales received similar threats.

The threats were reportedly sent through e-mails by a Japanese lawyer.

Investigation showed the threats were directed to the Pacita 1 Elementary School, Landayan Elementary School, Pacita National High School and Chrysanthemum Elementary School in Barangay Pacita 1.

Barangay officials called the city police at around 8 a.m. to report the threats.

Probers said the prankster sent the threats to the schools’ Facebook pages, warning campus officials that bombs will explode in the premises.

School officials suspended classes to ensure safety of students, teachers and employees.

The city police’s anti-bomb squad inspected the schools, but it found no explosives.

“Bagamat cleared na ang mga pampublikong paaralan na nakatanggap ng pagbabanta, kasalukuyan tayong nagpapatupad ng strict measures upang isiguro na mas ligtas at maayos ang lahat (Although these schools have been cleared, measures were strictly implemented to ensure safety of everyone),” the city public affairs
and information office said in a statement.

The local government gave assurance that a thorough investigation would be conducted to unmask the prankster.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. said investigating a bomb threat is a challenge to the police.

Acorda said the manner by which the police respond to a threat is important.

Last week’s bomb threats were sent to the offices of the National Housing Authority, Commission on Audit, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Competition Commission, Power Sector Assets and Liabilities Management, Department of Science and Technology and the Insurance Commission.

Similar threats were reported at the Panghulo Elementary School in Malabon and Pasig Elementary School in Barangay San Nicolas.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology said it also received a threat.