Teenager faces charges for hoax bomb threat

By Jennifer P. Rendon

He might have voluntarily surrendered, but that will not spare him from criminal prosecution.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) announced Tuesday, Nov. 25, that it will pursue multiple criminal charges against the 19-year-old who admitted to sending a hoax bomb threat.

The suspect works as a dispatcher and is also a vlogger with about 58,000 Facebook followers.

In a press statement, the IPPO said alias “Jojo,” a resident of Oton, Iloilo, will face charges for violating Presidential Decree 1727, or the Anti–Bomb Joke Law, in relation to Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, and possibly Republic Act 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, along with other applicable laws.

The suspect voluntarily surrendered at about 2 p.m. on Nov. 24 to members of the Oton Municipal Police Station.

Around the same time, the IPPO and local police officials denied reports of his arrest when contacted by several media personalities.

Two hours later, authorities confirmed they had the teenager in custody.

In a later statement, the IPPO said Jojo sent a bomb threat via Facebook Messenger using the handle “Shay Nel Dela Cruz” to Oton National High School on Nov. 21.

The message claimed that five bombs had been planted at the school.

Investigators traced Jojo’s cellphone number linked to the Facebook account, leading to his identification.

“Due to the pressure of possible arrest by the police, realizing he had been tracked and identified by investigators, he surfaced and surrendered to Oton MPS through Police Lt. Col. Ahlie V. Estember, the town police chief,” the IPPO said.

He was accompanied by his father and sister.

During an interview, Jojo admitted he was behind the bomb threat targeting Oton National High School.

The IPPO said his surrender followed a thorough investigation conducted with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 6 and other public safety and security agencies.

The investigation into the recent string of bomb threats across Iloilo province uncovered multiple cellphone numbers linked to Facebook accounts used in the incidents, the IPPO added.

IPPO chief, PCol. Bayani Razalan, assured the public that remaining suspects involved in the bomb threats will soon be identified.

“Their cellphone numbers, which were used in the FB accounts for sending the bomb threats, are already in the hands of investigators, and this will inevitably lead to their identification,” Razalan said.

He added that the suspects will face serious consequences and criminal charges similar to those filed against Jojo.

The IPPO emphasized that it and its partner agencies remain committed to ensuring community safety and will continue pursuing those behind the threats.