Man behind Davao City bomb threat nabbed

DAVAO CITY––Police arrested Wednesday a man believed to be behind a letter left near a city government-owned vehicle, threatening to explode a bomb at City Hall.

City Police Director Kirby John Kraft said the suspect, identified through a close circuit camera television footage, admitted having asked a 15-year old girl to write the letter which he left near a city government-owned vehicle parked in front of City Hall.

Kraft did not name the suspect but said the CCTV footage led the police to his house.

The police official said a case had been filed at the City Prosecution Office against the suspect for violating Presidential Decree 1727 that prohibits false information or making threats involving bombs and other similar devices.

“Violent extremism is a scourge around the globe and Dabawenyos should at all times remain vigilant. On the other hand, threats may be politically motivated, particularly from people who have evil intent,” the city government said Tuesday in an advisory.

The city had not been spared from terroristic attacks, the most recent of which was the bombing of the Roxas night market two months after President Duterte, who served as mayor of the city for more than two decades, was elected to the country’s highest post. The incident killed 15 people and wounded 70 others.

Last year, the Taguig City Regional Trial Court found seven persons tagged in the bombing guilty.

In 2003, the bombings of the old Davao International Airport in March and Sasa Wharf in April led to the establishment of Task Force Davao, to secure peace in the city.

The city government has been readying preemptive measures, including holding security simulation exercises to acquaint the security sector and the people on what to do should similar incidents happen.

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