Prankster sows panic in Baguio

BAGUIO CITY – Terror and panic gripped Baguio City Thursday morning as an unidentified caller warned that a bomb was planted at the Baguio City’s water reservoir in Sto. Tomas, Tuba, Benguet and a gasoline station along Harizon Rd., here. The calls, however, turned out to be a hoax as no bombs were exploded or found by police ordnance experts at the supposed targets.

This, even as Mayor Bernardo Vergara is urging the fast approval of the proposed ID system as the city was identified by Malacañang to become the pilot project for the controversial identification system.

The mayor said an ordinance is in the works to be submitted for deliberation by the City Council on Monday.

The proposal calls for all city residents to acquire the identification card that would be used for all government transactions including paying taxes and receiving money from official business transactions. A permanent serial number is accorded to all citizens.

Vergara nixed protests against the proposal saying, it would be for the advantage of the city rather than a disadvantage, citing the city’s susceptibility to attacks because would-be attackers can camouflage themselves as tourists.

Last week, guests and personnel of the plush Baguio Country Club moved out of its buildings and offices after another prankster warned that a bomb was about to explode inside the hotel. No bomb was found.

Meanwhile, all personnel of the Baguio City Police Office were instructed to initiate pro-active security measures. – Artemio Dumlao