Senate tightens security after getting bomb threat

The Senate of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILES

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate has tightened its security after receiving a bomb threat through its social media account.

Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero confirmed this in a Viber message on Wednesday.

“While it was not considered as a credible and serious threat, the OSAA (Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms) is nevertheless taking the necessary precautions,” Escudero said.

According to Senate Secretary Atty. Renato Bantug, the bomb threat was posted on the Senate’s Facebook page on Tuesday morning “most likely by a prankster” since the same “account” had also posted it all over the place.

READ: Poe seeks harsher penalties for hoax bomb threats

“But OSAA implemented security protocols per SOP starting yesterday just to be sure,” Bantug said in a message to reporters.

Work in the Senate continued despite the threat.

Congress is set to take a break starting Thursday.