Bomb threat in Laguna town a hoax

INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — A bomb threat that targeted government offices and schools in Santa Cruz, Laguna Wednesday morning, June 18, was found to be just a hoax, authorities said.

“According to the initial report from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Unit, the bomb threat was determined to be a hoax,” Governor Ramil Hernandez announced in a post in Filipino on his Facebook around 2 p.m.

Hernandez added: “Nevertheless, we urge everyone to remain alert and cautious. As of now, the EOD has officially declared that no explosives or bombs were found at the capitol (building).”

READ: Classes in Santa Cruz, Laguna suspended due to ‘bomb threat’

Earlier, Mayor Edgar San Luis announced that classes at all levels in public and private schools in the town are suspended due to the alleged bomb threat.

A circulating message on social media claimed that bombs had been planted in several capitol facilities and schools by an unidentified group.

The explosives were reportedly placed in trash bins in offices and facilities, and are set to explode within a few hours.

The police EOD unit conducted inspections in the locations mentioned in the bomb threat, including the provincial capitol building, and deployed ambulances and emergency response teams to the affected areas, Hernandez said.

“To ensure the safety of our capitol personnel, we ordered a temporary suspension of work,” the governor said.

Meanwhile, the conduct of the scheduled graduation ceremony Wednesday at the Cultural Center of Laguna was left to the discretion of the school administration, he said.

“We appeal to everyone to refrain from spreading false information that could cause unnecessary panic among our citizens,” Hernandez said. /das