The Iloilo City Government is launching a coordinated digital manhunt after a surge of bomb threats forced repeated evacuations and class disruptions across the city.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod approved a resolution on Wednesday urging the DICT, NTC, NBI, and Meta to provide “immediate technical assistance” to investigators tracing the online sources of the threats.
Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, who heads the committee on public safety, authored the resolution. He said the city has endured “a series of bomb threats causing fear and disrupting classes,” prompting local officials to seek national and tech-sector support.
Since November 12, the Iloilo City Police Office has recorded 31 bomb threats targeting 15 schools, universities, and one commercial establishment.
These incidents suspended classes, prompted mass evacuations, and disrupted academic schedules during finals week.
Investigators from ICPO, the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, and the NBI reported that anonymous accounts and online platforms complicate the probe.
The resolution described these hurdles as “challenges in identifying the perpetrators.”
Cabaluna said the DICT, NTC, NBI, and Meta have the digital tools and expertise to trace online activity, analyze evidence, and identify those responsible.
He stressed the urgency of a unified response, noting the need to safeguard the public as a “paramount priority.”
In a press briefing, ICPO Director Col. Kim Legada urged anyone receiving bomb threat messages to immediately alert police.
He encouraged recipients to verify the information with authorities and said investigators will coordinate with establishments to assess threats that specify locations or items supposedly planted in their premises.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.