Woman arrested for bomb joke

CEBU, Philippines - The bomb jokes just keep on coming.

Another woman was arrested for allegedly cracking a bomb joke at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center on Monday evening.

Police arrested Emily Baclaan, 32, of Barangay Tuyan in Naga City, after Baclaan reportedly presented her bag for inspection at the entrance of the government hospital then told the guard there was a bomb inside.

She was taken into custody by the guard who then called the police for assistance.

Police Officer 3 Henry Abatayo of the Fuente Police Station said Baclaan will be detained pending the filing of a criminal complaint against her for possible violation of Presidential Decree 1727.

Baclaan is the fifth person to be arrested for allegedly making bomb jokes in Cebu City since September 9 this year.

First to be arrested was Jasmin Sala, a production worker from Mandaue City, for making a bomb joke at Robinsons Place Cebu.

On September 12, Carl John Sacal, 19, was arrested by police for allegedly making a bomb joke at City Soho Mall along B. Rodriguez Street, Cebu City.

On September 14, a 15-year-old student was also taken into custody by security officers of a mall for saying his bag had a bomb. He was later released to his parents by the mall management.

The following day Janelle Camacho was arrested for making a bomb joke at a department store along Colon Street.

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. (FREEMAN)