THE Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday directed concerned police units to assess procedures and strengthen their ability to respond to bomb threats as incidents involving schools and universities underscore the need to keep security measures up to date.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the review would focus on ensuring police protocols and operational capabilities remain responsive to changing threats.
He added that the organization is ready to provide additional specialized training to improve personnel readiness to handle and investigate such incidents if necessary.
“We must ensure that our bomb threat protocols evolve with the threats we face. Our response must be swift, our personnel well-trained, and our investigative capabilities strong enough to identify those responsible and prevent similar incidents,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The directive came after two incidents of bomb threats in two major universities in Metro Manila that led to the evacuation of students and suspension of classes. The same threat also hit other schools in the provinces in the past months.
Police are investigating the incidents to determine possible links between some of the bomb threat incidents, which will help investigators determine whether they were isolated cases or part of a wider pattern.
In Batangas, for instance, at least two people were recently arrested for their involvement in bomb threats that targeted at least two schools in the province.
Nartatez underscored the need for prompt security assessments and coordinated action whenever a potential threat is reported.
“Every bomb threat must be treated with urgency and investigated thoroughly. We will establish the facts, determine whether these incidents are connected, and hold those responsible accountable under the law. Our priority is to protect lives and ensure that our schools remain safe for students and personnel,” the top cop said.
