Top cop warns bomb hoax senders: ‘We will find you’

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Police are taking a hardline stance against those behind recent bomb hoax threats in Iloilo.

Brig. Gen. Josefino Ligan, Western Visayas police chief, said charges will be filed against more suspects involved in the spate of bomb threats reported across the province and Iloilo City.

From Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, the Police Regional Office 6 recorded 73 bomb threats — all of which were confirmed to be hoaxes.

Between Nov. 12 and 20 alone, the Iloilo City Police Office logged 34 threats involving 20 schools and one commercial establishment.

In the same period, the Iloilo Police Provincial Office recorded 27 threats targeting 23 schools, a barangay hall, and a town plaza.

Despite the high number of incidents, only two suspects have so far been charged in court.

Ligan said this should serve as a clear warning.

“We will go after you,” he said.

He stressed that making bomb threats — whether real or fake — should never be taken lightly.

“It’s not good. You’re destroying your own community. You’re not helping,” he said.

Ligan warned that the rise in hoaxes must be stopped before it becomes a norm.

“Cases will be filed. You will go to jail if you do this,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ligan noted that the Regional Explosive Canine Unit (RECU-6) currently has only 61 personnel across Western Visayas.

To boost capability, provincial and city explosive ordnance units are training more police officers to serve as Explosive Ordnance Reconnaissance Agents (EORAs).

Ligan also said they will intensify Project A.B.K.D. — Awareness of Bombs that Kill Lives and Destroy Properties.

The initiative is a proactive education campaign on the dangers of bomb threats and improvised explosive devices, promoting community awareness, vigilance, and preparedness.