NBI-7 arrests man over Comelec bomb threat

CEBU, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) has arrested a man who allegedly posted on Facebook a malicious statement offering a P5-million reward to anyone who could plant and detonate a bomb at all Commission on Elections (Comelec) sites.

NBI-7 Regional Director Atty. Rennan Augustus Oliva identified the suspect as 38-year-old Gian Carlo dela Cruz Maningo, a resident of Tot 2, Blk 4, Jasmine Dakota Street, Casili Hills Subdivision, Casili, Mandaue City.

In an interview, the suspect, now in NBI-7 custody, did not deny making the Facebook post.

When asked if he had the money to pay someone to carry out the bombing, Maningo claimed that the funds were with the “Supreme Court” and showed no remorse for the post. He stated that it was part of his long-standing demand to shut down the Comelec.

“Dapat kanang Comelec hagbay ra unta na sila nanirado kay naa na silay pending nga kaso sa Supreme Court pero gipadayon lang gihapon nila. Dapat demolish na unta nang Comelec, dapit i cordon na nang Comelec,” Maningo said when asked why he made the post.

He also claimed he was not under the influence of drugs and insisted that his anger toward the Comelec was his only motivation. He expressed willingness to face the legal consequences.

On May 13, 2025, Department of Justice Undersecretary Nicolas Felix L. Tu endorsed the matter to NBI Director Jaime B. Santiago for investigation. Director Santiago then ordered the NBI-Central Visayas Regional Office to conduct a full-scale probe, considering the seriousness of the threat.

Comelec-7 Regional Director Atty. Francisco Pobe, through a complaint filed with NBI-7, also requested an investigation into the bomb threat against Comelec offices.

Investigators found that the Facebook post offering the P5-million reward was originally published on May 5, 2025, and remained online up to the time of investigation.

“This means that 7 days before the election, during the election and after, during the counting of voters,” Oliva said, noting that the post had been shared at least 120 times.

Technical analysis revealed that the post came from the Facebook account “Gi Maningo,” which was later confirmed to belong to Gian Carlo dela Cruz Maningo.

On May 14, 2025, at around 6:16 p.m., the suspect was arrested at his residence. Authorities recovered a mobile phone with the number +639954391879, which was used to post the bomb threat.

On May 15, 2025, Maningo was brought to the Mandaue City Prosecutor’s Office for inquest proceedings, where he executed a waiver of detention under Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code.

Criminal charges were filed against him for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1727 (Willful Making of Threats Involving Bombs) and Section 9 of Republic Act 11479 (Inciting to Commit Terrorism), both in relation to Republic Act 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act).

Violating PD 1727 carries a penalty of up to five years imprisonment and a fine of not more than P40,000. Meanwhile, a conviction under Section 9 of RA 11479 can result in up to 12 years of imprisonment.

Oliva added that NBI is now coordinating with its central office to take down the bomb threat posts. —/FPL (FREEMAN)