Man nabbed for online bomb threats in Bulacan schools

MANILA, Philippines — An 18-year-old man believed to be behind a series of online bomb threats that disrupted classes in public and private schools in San Ildefonso, Bulacan was arrested in Jaen, Nueva Ecija on Tuesday night.

The suspect, identified as Alex Mariano, was collared in Barangay Hilera at around 6:29 p.m.

Mariano will be charged for violating Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law, and grave threats in relation to Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Central Luzon police director Brig. Gen. Jess Mendez said the arresting team seized from the suspect a phone believed used in posting the threats.

“A bomb threat is not a joke. A single post online can sow fear, disrupt classes and prompt deployment of a team of police and emergency responders,” Mendez said.

Probers said Mariano’s arrest was a result of an intensive investigation, which  indicated he was behind the threats directed at schools in San Ildefonso town from Monday to Tuesday.

Among the schools that received the threat were the San Ildefonso National High School and the Saint John School as well as elementary schools in the villages of  Calawitan, Pulong Tamo and San Juan.

The threats disrupted classes as members of the police anti-bomb squad had to inspect the schools for possible presence of explosives. No bomb was found in any of the schools.

Mendez said they tracked down the suspect  through his Facebook page.

He said Mariano claimed the bomb threats were made just for fun.

“The suspect said it was just a ‘trip.’ He was just going along with what happened recently. He did not realize the consequences of his action,” Mendez said.

The suspect was taken to the San Ildefonso police station for investigation. –  Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu