PICC ‘bomb hoax’ under probe – Okubo
NATIONAL Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Major General Edgar Alan O. Okubo on Saturday said an investigation is now ongoing to determine the persons behind a “bomb hoax” that disrupted activities at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
The official said that they have sought the help of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) in investigating the alleged bomb threat at the National Privacy Commission (NPC) on Friday noon.
Okubo said that criminal charges will be filed against those who will be found responsible for the incident that not only disrupted work in the area but also caused the wastage of precious police resources and time as officers rushed to the site to investigate the threat and make sure everybody was safe.
Southern Police District (SPD) director P/Brigadier Gen. Kirby John B. Kraft said that the alleged bomb threat was reported to their office around 12:20 p.m. Friday by PICC security manager Rommel Magbanua.
An investigation showed that the head of the NPC Administrative Services Division, Marlon Fabricante triggered the panic button after seeing a comment on their Facebook Page that said, “Time bomb set on your building starts now.”
The post was sent by one “Angelo Iglesias.”
Upon receipt of the information, a team of officers from the Pasay City Police Special Weapons and Tactics Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Team (SWAT-EOD) and the Station EOD Canine Unit quickly rushed to the site to investigate.
Officers later thoroughly searched the entire five-story building and its immediate vicinity using one Explosive Detection Dog from the Regional EOD and Canine Unit.
However, after more than four hours of searching and paneling, the team found no explosive or any destructive materials or substances in the area. The search was completed at 4:49 p.m. on the same day.
The case was initially referred to the Pasay police station for investigation.
The NCRPO and the SPD declared the incident as a mere bomb hoax and advised the public to remain calm and vigilant as they continue to ensure the safety of the public in the streets 24/7.
