PNP says bomb threat texts ‘a cruel joke’

Bea Cupin

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PNP says bomb threat texts ‘a cruel joke’
The Philippine National Police appeals to the public against spreading unverified reports of bomb threats, but stresses that the PNP is prepared for real threats

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday, February 18, appealed to the public against spreading unverified reports of bomb threats, calling them a “cruel joke.”

“I understand there’s an SMS circulating about alleged bombing in Metro Manila, mentioning specific cities in Metro Manila,” PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr said during a press conference at Camp Crame.

From Monday to Tuesday, text messages warning the public of an alleged bomb threat circulated on social media and via SMS. The text message said the “intel unit” was already monitoring the situation.

Sa nakikita namin, it’s a cruel joke. Hindi namin alam saan nanggaling (As far as we’re concerned, it’s a cruel joke. We don’t know where it’s coming from),” Cerbo said. 

Cerbo said there are currently no “specific terror plots targeting Metro Manila.”

The PNP spokesman assured the public, however, that the PNP is “ready” for any terrorism threats both in Metro Manila and elsewhere.

“We’re not taking these lightly. Kung may ganitong banta (When there are threats like these), of course we double check,” added the PNP spokesman.

Text messages about alleged bomb threats come almost a month after at least 65 people, among them 44 elite cops, died during a police operation in Mamasapano town, Maguindanao.

PNP Special Action Force (SAF) troopers found themselves in an encounter with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) during an operation to neutralize Jemaah Islamiyah member Zulkifli bin Hir (alias Marwan), who was hiding in a cottage in Mamasapano. 

Since the January 25 operation, clashes between the MILF and the BIFF have been reported in various parts of Mindanao. 

The MILF and the Philippine government in 2014 signed a peace deal that would pave the way to a new autonomous region in Muslim Mindanao.

The proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law, however, is in danger of not being passed on time following the deadly clash. 

On Wednesday, February 18, the MILF returned 16 of the SAF’s firearms that were seized by the MILF during the Mamasapano encounter. 

On Tuesday, BIFF fighters burned houses in a village in Pikit, North Cotabato, and has since threatened to attack the capitol Rappler.com

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Bea Cupin

Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.