Abandoned box in Cebu City causes bomb scare

CEBU CITY, Philippines—An abandoned box thought to contain explosives caused a bomb scare and heavy traffic Wednesday morning in Barangay (village) Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City.

The carton box wrapped with a packaging tape was found outside the Concord Technical Institute along Cabreros St. past 7 a.m.

A certain Cabaluna called and informed the Mambaling Police Station about the suspicious-looking package, said Councilor Dave Tumulak, the city council committee chair on peace and order and the deputy mayor on police matters.

Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) immediately arrived in the area and checked what was inside the box.

But the police team did not found a bomb inside the box. Instead, it contained sand and gravel as well as three umbrella nails.

Tumulak appealed to the public to stop making bomb scares since it would only cause panic as well as disrupt police operations.

“Please stop making false bomb threats. You’re causing the government and the public much inconvenience,” he said.

Last Sept. 9, Jasmin Sala, production worker from Mandaue City, was arrested for dropping a bomb joke at Robinsons Place Cebu.

READ: Woman arrested for bomb joke at Cebu mall

Accompanied by a female companion, Sala had her sling bag checked by a security guard at the mall’s entrance before walking away saying “Naa ra ba ni bomba. (There’s a bomb inside my bag).”

She was taken into custody by the mall guards and was turned over to the custody of the police.

Sala’s bag did not contain any explosives. Inside her bag were a lipstick, makeup and a cellphone.

Sala regretted making a bomb joke.

Three days later, 19-year-old Carl John Sacal was arrested by police for allegedly making a bomb joke at City Soho Mall along B. Rodriguez Street, Cebu City.

READ: ‘Trisikad’ driver arrested for making bomb joke in Cebu mall

Sacal allegedly took a circular bluetooth speaker from his pants’ pocket, showed it to the security guard at the mall’s entrance, and said “Nara o nagdala kog bomba. (Look, I’m bringing a bomb).”

Presidential Decree 1727, often referred to as the Bomb Joke Law, declares as unlawful the malicious dissemination of false information and willful threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device, through word of mouth, use of mail, telephone, telegraph, printed materials and other means of communication.

Violators face five years in jail or a fine of P40,000 or both depending on the court’s ruling. RAM