Police are tracking the person behind an online bomb threat that prompted security sweeps in schools and several establishments in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, on Saturday, July 11, after authorities found no explosives at the identified sites.
The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said an account using the name “Jim San” posted the threat in the public Facebook group “6127 Marketplace San Carlos City,” claiming bombs would be planted in schools, an ongoing job fair, and the Empire One Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) center.
The San Carlos City Police Station immediately activated security protocols and coordinated with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Philippine Coast Guard’s San Carlos Canine Unit to verify the threat.
Bomb detection teams searched the San Carlos City Auditorium and VIAST Outsource Solutions along East Carmona Street in Barangay 4, as well as Empire One BPO along the Eco Translink Highway in Barangay 2. Authorities found no explosives or suspicious items at any of the locations.
“While the inspection yielded negative results, we treat every reported threat with utmost seriousness,” said Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR director.
Cardiño said PRO-NIR has coordinated with cybercrime investigators to identify the person responsible for the social media post and pursue appropriate charges.
Police urged the public to immediately report suspicious individuals, unattended packages, or unusual activities to the nearest police station or through the 911 emergency hotline.
The regional police office also reminded the public that making false bomb threats is a criminal offense under Presidential Decree No. 1727, punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to ₱40,000.
The Center for Public Safety and Resilience under the city’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office condemned the incident, saying it undermines public safety and community peace.
“We do not tolerate vehement acts that do not abide with the values of good will, peace and harmony in the community. We value and uphold humanity above all,” the center said in a statement.*
