Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Thursday commended police officers for the swift arrest of an 18-year-old suspect accused of posting bomb threats against several schools in San Ildefonso, Bulacan.
Nartatez, in a statement, said the arrest underscores the PNP’s commitment to respond decisively to threats that endanger students, teachers, and any member of a community.
‘Bomb threats and similar hoaxes are never harmless because they create fear, disrupt classes, and divert police resources from real emergencies. This successful operation shows the PNP’s commitment to run after those who violate the law in the interest of peace and order and public safety,’ the PNP chief said.
Police investigation showed that the suspect allegedly posted bomb threats on the official social media pages of several schools in San Ildefonso earlier this week.
Acting on the reports, investigators tracked the suspect and arrested him in Barangay Hilera, Jaen, Nueva Ecija.
Nartatez commended the strong coordination and cooperation between police cybercrime investigators and the local police in identifying the perpetrator that eventually led to the arrest.
He said the dedication shown by the police in this case reinforces the commitment that the PNP assured to the Department of Education (DepEd) in ensuring the safety of learners and school personnel and authorities.
Nartatez assured that all the appropriate criminal charges will be filed against the suspect, ‘We will continue working closely with DepEd, school officials, and local government units to ensure that every threat is treated seriously and investigated promptly,’ he added.
To support the implementation of the policy, Nartatez directed all Police Regional Offices and local police units to immediately coordinate with DepEd regional and division offices on school threat response protocols.
He also instructed the Anti-Cybercrime Group to intensify investigations into online bomb threats, fake shooting alerts, and viral threat messages targeting schools.
The PNP Chief also urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report bomb threats and other security concerns through the Unified 911 Hotline to enable authorities to respond quickly and prevent possible harm.