MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District (MPD) is coordinating with school officials and security personnel following bomb threats reported at schools in recent days, according to PMAJ Philipp Ines, MPD spokesperson and chief public information officer.
Ines discussed the district’s response during a media forum at Ermita, Manila, on Tuesday. He attended in place of MPD Director PBGen. Arnold Santiago.
Ines told the reporters that police station commanders and community precinct commanders maintain communication groups with school officials and security personnel to help facilitate responses to incidents.
According to Ines, the MPD’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel respond to bomb threat reports, while its anti-cybercrime unit handles threats made online.
He said investigators were working to identify those behind the threats but that he had no progress report to share at the time of the forum.
Ines urged school officials to continue coordinating with police and called on students and other members of the public with information about those responsible to report it to authorities.
He warned that making bomb threats carries penalties.
“This is not a joke,” Ines said in Filipino, adding that those responsible could face imprisonment or fines.
He also urged the public to report threats and suspicious activity through MPD hotlines or the Unified 911 emergency number.
Ines cited Manila’s Anti-Child Endangerment Ordinance, saying parents or guardians may be held accountable in certain incidents involving minors. He said accountability depends on the child’s age.
