Cebu City moves to unmask individuals behind shooting, bomb threats

Local

CEBU City officials warned they would pursue criminal charges against those responsible for posting bomb or shooting threats on social media, saying such incidents unnecessarily endanger the public, drain government resources, and sow fear across the city.

The warning came after authorities received another online shooting threat, this time targeting Inayawan National High School, barely a day after emergency responders conducted hours-long search operations at a mall in Cebu IT Park following a bomb threat that was later found to be a hoax.

Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) head and Councilor Dave Tumulak on Saturday, July 4, said a teacher reported a social media message threatening to shoot teachers and school officials inside Inayawan National High School.

According to Tumulak, the message contained explicit language and specifically mentioned teachers handling certain grade levels as well as the school principal.

The incident has already been reported to Police Station 7 (Inayawan Police Station), where it was entered into the police blotter for investigation.

Authorities are now validating the authenticity of the threat while urging the public not to spread unverified information that could trigger unnecessary panic.

The latest report follows heightened security concerns in Cebu City after a bomb threat prompted the evacuation and extensive inspection of a mall in Cebu IT Park on Friday afternoon.

According to the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office's situation report, authorities received a social media message at 3:40 p.m. claiming that an improvised explosive device had been planted inside a second-floor comfort room of the mall.

The report immediately triggered the activation of the Incident Management Team, deployment of police, SWAT personnel, bomb experts, K-9 units, firefighters, emergency medical responders, and disaster management personnel.

Search and clearing operations lasted for several hours as authorities inspected the building floor by floor before declaring the areas clear while continuing to validate the threat.

In a video statement released on Saturday, Tumulak stressed that the city government has no choice but to treat every threat as credible until proven otherwise.

He said each report compels authorities to mobilize ambulances, fire trucks, rescue vehicles, police officers, firefighters, bomb disposal units, and disaster responders, consuming substantial government resources regardless of whether the threat eventually proves false.

He noted that Friday's bomb scare kept emergency personnel on site from around 3 p.m. until nearly 8 p.m. as they thoroughly inspected not only the mall but also nearby buildings.

Beyond the operational costs, Tumulak said the incident caused widespread anxiety among employees, shoppers and families who rushed to contact loved ones believed to be inside the establishment.

He also lamented the disruption to businesses and the traffic congestion caused by onlookers who flocked to the area after information spread rapidly online.

Tumulak appealed to the public to report threats directly to law enforcement agencies instead of posting them on social media.

He said direct reporting allows authorities to immediately verify information, identify the source of the report, and carry out appropriate response measures without fueling unnecessary fear.

Posting threats or unverified reports online, he said, only amplifies public panic, overloads communication networks during emergencies and may even compromise ongoing police operations.

Tumulak also urged the public to avoid livestreaming or posting videos from emergency scenes, warning that excessive mobile phone use in affected areas could interfere with communications among responders.

He added that public posts showing the movements of emergency personnel could potentially provide useful information to individuals intending to carry out attacks.

Despite these concerns, Tumulak emphasized that residents should continue reporting suspicious activities, stressing that vigilance remains essential to maintaining public safety.

Mayor Nestor Archival also called on residents to remain calm and rely only on verified information released by authorities.

"Atong gihangyo ang publiko nga magpabiling kalmado, likayan ang pagpakaylap og dili beripikadong impormasyon, ug sundon ang mga advisories gikan sa atong mga otoridad. Ang kaluwasan sa matag Sugboanon mao ang atong labing unang prayoridad," Archival said in a statement.

Tumulak likewise warned those responsible for making false threats that authorities are determined to identify and prosecute them.

He said individuals who deliberately create panic for amusement or to disrupt public order should expect to face the full force of the law.

The latest case marks the second reported online shooting threat involving a Cebu City school this week.

On Thursday, authorities verified that an initially reported bomb threat involving Cebu Eastern College in Pahina Central was actually a shooting threat circulated through a Facebook post.

Police coordinated with school officials, activated security protocols, and launched an investigation to determine the source and credibility of the online threat.

Authorities have yet to determine whether the incidents are connected. Investigations remain ongoing.(TGP)