ANGELES CITY – Pampanga 1st District Rep. Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. initiated a meeting with officials from the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police, and the Anti-Cyber Crime Group on Oct. 9 to address bomb threat hoaxes that have become rampant in the district as well as in the province.
Since September, numerous false bomb threats were posted on social media targeting schools and universities including National University Clark Campus, Angeles City National Trade School, City College of Angeles, Gov. Rafael L. Lazatin Integrated School, Pampanga State University – Don Honorio Ventura State University, and the University of the Assumption.
“Dapat nating kaagad na maimbestigahan ang isyung ito dahil ito ay nagdudulot ng matinding pangamba sa ating mga kababayan,” Lazatin said. “Hindi ito dapat nangyayari sa panahong ito dahil ito ay nagdudulot ng matinding trauma sa mga bata. Natatakot at nangangamba na rin ang mga magulang para sa kaligtasan ng kanilang mga anak.”
On October 8, Lazatin requested the Philippine Coast Guard, through Secretary Giovanni Lopez of the Department of Transportation, for additional bomb-sniffing dogs to augment the security in schools and universities in the First District.
Lazatin also implored law enforcers, particularly the Anti-Cyber Crime Group, to amplify their investigation on the people behind the bomb threat posts on social media.
In a letter addressed to Police BGen. Bernard Yang of the Anti-Cyber Crime Group, Lazatin called the bomb threat hoaxes as “an act of terror – plain and simple.”
“It has gone beyond the realm of harmless pranks and the people behind them should be made accountable,” Lazatin said, “These false bomb threats have caused enough undue worry and stress to the members of our community and it has to stop.”
In his letter, Lazatin cited Presidential Decree No. 1727, which declares “as unlawful the malicious dissemination of false information or the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device or means of destruction;” and Section 5 of RA 11479 (The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020), which states that any person who shall threaten to commit any act of terrorism shall “suffer the penalty of imprisonment of twelve (12) years.”
According to the PNP, the recent bomb threat hoaxes on social media are not isolated to Pampanga as there have also been reports in other localities, such as Metro Manila, Bulacan, and Legaspi City.
Lazatin assured the NBI and the PNP that his office remains open for any assistance or legislative support they might need.
“Pagtulungan nating matuldukan ang pagpapakalat ng false bomb threats. Huwag po kayong mag-atubiling lumapit sa opisina ko kung mayroon kayong kailangan tungkol sa bagay na ito. Kami po ay laging nakahandang magbigay ng tulong sa inyo,” Lazatin said.
Present during the meeting were NBI Region 3 director Atty. Renoir Baldovino; PNP Pampanga director Col. Eugene Marcelo; Col. Joselito Villarosa Jr. and Maj. Marlon Ventus of Angeles City Police; Mabalacat City police chief LCol. Efren David; LCol. Jose Charlimar Gundaya of Magalang Police; Col. Efren Fernandez II and Capt.. Bryan James Taguinod of Anti-Cyber Crime Group; Atty. Eiffel Isidro, Atty. Joshua Reymundo, and Atty. Junnel Tinio from NBI Region 3; Dr. Armando Capili of DepEd Mabalacat City; Clarisa Lagman of DepEd Angeles City; and Lazatin’s chief political affairs officer Reina Manuel. Team Lazatin Media
