City gets 3 bomb threats in 4 days

CEBU, Philippines — For the third time in just four days, Cebu City emergency responders were mobilized to confront another reported bomb threat, only to confirm once again that the alarm was a hoax.

The latest scare unfolded early yesterday, July 5, morning when the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) received a report of a bomb threat targeting a condominium in Barangay Cogon Ramos.

Police from the Fuente Police Station, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists, SWAT, and fire rescue teams rushed to the scene. By 4:15 a.m., after a systematic sweep of the premises, the EOD declared negative findings, and the area was pronounced safe.

This latest false alarm followed two earlier hoaxes.

On July 2, Cebu Eastern College was disrupted by a bomb threat, which was later found to be a shooting threat posted on social media, prompting police deployment and heightened security measures.

A day later, Ayala Malls Central Bloc in Cebu IT Park was evacuated after a bomb scare spread online.

That operation involved 93 responders from the Cebu City Police Office, Bureau of Fire Protection, CCDRRMO, and mall security. By 7:49 p.m. on the same day the threat was received, the mall was declared free of explosives, and regular operations resumed.

Officials stressed that while all three incidents turned out to be hoaxes, each required the full-scale mobilization of emergency resources.

Mayor Nestor Archival and Councilor Dave Tumulak condemned the repeated false alarms, warning that such threats not only disrupt public order but also divert critical personnel and equipment away from genuine emergencies.

The city government reminded the public that posting false bomb or shooting threats online is a criminal offense punishable by fines and imprisonment.

The spate of hoaxes comes against a tense national backdrop.

Just two weeks earlier, the country was shaken by the Tacloban school shooting on June 22, which left three students dead.

Amid these repeated threats, the Cebu City Government has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining safe and secure schools.

In close coordination with the Cebu City Police Office, authorities have increased police visibility through regular patrols, security assessments, and sustained collaboration with school administrators.

These proactive measures are intended to deter potential threats and ensure a swift response to any security concerns within school premises.

The City Government emphasized that school safety is a shared responsibility, urging students, parents, teachers, and the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and verify information before sharing it online to prevent unnecessary alarm.

Authorities continue to urge residents to remain calm during reported threats, avoid spreading unverified information on social media, and rely only on official announcements from government channels.