Bacolod BPO hit by bomb threat hoax

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Police are working to identify the person behind a bomb threat hoax targeting a business process outsourcing firm near the Bacolod City Government Center on Friday night.

According to police reports, a staff member of the BPO firm alerted authorities after a social media user operating a fake account posted a bomb threat targeting two buildings.

Personnel from the Special Weapons and Tactics team, Explosive Ordnance Disposal unit and K-9 units were immediately deployed to inspect and secure the area.

The Bacolod City Police Office also briefed the establishment’s personnel on how to manage the situation.

Mayor Greg Gasataya said no explosive device was found or detected after an EOD sweep and a thorough inspection of the buildings.

“The bomb threat posted on Facebook was determined to be a hoax,” he said in a Facebook post.

The BCPO said it was investigating the incident to identify and apprehend the person responsible for the false post in accordance with existing laws and procedures.

Gasataya said authorities were exerting all efforts to ensure public safety in the area and across the city.

The city government is coordinating closely with Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, BCPO director, following a series of bomb threat hoaxes in Bacolod since early this month.

Some of the previous threats targeted schools, prompting authorities to strengthen coordination and emergency response measures.