By CESAR JOLITO III

The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) is tightening its campaign against bomb hoaxes after three educational institutions across the province were disrupted by recent threats that later turned out to be false alarms.

NOCPPO spokesperson Lt. Judesses Catalogo said in a press briefing that investigators are now tracing the digital origins of the threats, warning that individuals found responsible will face criminal charges.

“We want to make it clear that bomb jokes and hoax threats are punishable. Once identified, the perpetrators will be held liable under the law,” Catalogo stressed.

The warnings follow consecutive incidents, starting on November 19, when West Visayas State University – Himamaylan Campus and the Philippine State University in Kabankalan City both received bomb threat messages.

The sender accused school personnel of alleged “unfair treatment” toward students.

A third incident was reported on December 9 at Doña Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School in Silay City after an anonymous caller claimed bombs had been planted on campus.

Classes were abruptly suspended while authorities swept the area.

Explosive ordnance disposal teams and local police responded to all sites, conducting thorough inspections that yielded negative results.

Catalogo said early investigations suggest that “most of these threats were sent using hacked or compromised accounts.”

He reiterated that bomb jokes and malicious false information are punishable under Presidential Decree 1727, which carries penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine of up to P40,000, or both.

NOCPPO urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities, reminding citizens that hoax threats not only cause panic but also divert critical resources from real emergencies./CJ, WDJ