Spread to cause panic: Bombing report a hoax - Cops

CEBU, Philippines —  The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas has dismissed as a hoax reports of planned suicide bombings in Cebu City and Bohol Province.

“Fake news ito please don’t pass it anymore it will cause unnecessary disturbance with the public. Our advice is to not patronize the news item and don’t pass it to their friends,” PRO-7 director Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas said.

The memorandum was addressed to city and provincial directors in reference to the email now being widely shared about a document allegedly forwarded to the PRO-7 Regional Intelligence Division.

“Nakadawat sila og intelligence report this noontime nga naa upat ka babaye from Basilan nga nagplano mag-suicide bombing sa mga mall sa Cebu ug Bohol. Please inform atong mga relatives and friend to stay away from malls in the meantime nga dili ma-clear nga intelligence very high alert ang mga malls diri sa Bohol. Sa dili pa ka maka-park inspection sa imong sakyanan,” a portion of the document read.

The document also “directed” the city and provincial commanders to conduct validation relative to the alleged four female suicide bombers.

It also “ordered” police to intensify counter-intelligence to stop terrorists and thwart their plans.

Superintendent Reyman Tolentin, PRO-7 spokesman, said that the Regional Intelligence Division is on top of the reports.

“RID has initiated to really validate the information but it turned out nga fake news. So it’s just a creation of people… Makaingon g’yud ta nga safe ang Central Visayas sa pagkakaron ang base sa atong intelligence reports, dili tinuod ang maong impormasyon,” Tolentin said.

He said that PRO-7 has the initial identities of the personalities behind the report. He also advised the public not to readily believe everything posted online.

However, so as not to be complacent in terms of security he assured all reports of the same nature are validated in order apply appropriate measures.

“For our part, we really have to validate it kay basin naa na siyay gibug-aton. Basig tinuod so we have to act on it and any information nga motumaw, ato g’yud ‘nang aksyonan,” he said. — BRP (FREEMAN)