School bomb threats: Cops raid family’s home

MANILA, Philippines — Police raided the residence of a family in Quezon City on Friday in connection with bomb threats at two public schools last month.

Agents of the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group, under the supervision of ACG National Capital Region cyber response unit head Lt. Col. Jay Guillermo, swooped on a house along Daisy street in Veterans Village, Barangay Pasong Tamo at around 9:30 p.m.

Armed with a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data, policemen confiscated 10 cell phones and other computer gadgets owned by eight people, including a minor.

The operation lasted until around 1:30 a.m. yesterday.

The raid is in connection with the bomb threats at the Emilio Jacinto National High School in Barangay Pasong Tamo and the New Era Elementary in Barangay Culiat, both on Jan. 23.

Capt. Michael Bernardo, who heads the ACG’s Quezon City field unit, said their investigation revealed the messages on Facebook warning of bomb explosions in the two schools were traced to the house.

The information was provided by the social networking site to the police.

Bernardo said Facebook is quick to respond to requests of their data especially if the messages are about terrorism.

The police official said they are examining the cell phones to determine who among the people in the house were responsible for the bomb threats.

Based on their investigation, students from both schools were taking their examinations when the bomb threats were posted on the same day.

Bernardo said whoever is found responsible would face charges for violating Presidential Decree 1727, the Anti-Bomb Joke Law, in relation to Republic Act 10175, also known as the Cybercrime Prevention Act.