Cebu authorities warn online threat posters: You will be found, charged

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Authorities have a message for people posting bomb or shooting threats online: hiding behind a social media account does not guarantee your anonymity.

The National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-CEVRO) on Monday, July 6, reminded the public that online threat posters can be traced. They may face charges once identified.

It gave the warning amid a string of bomb and shooting threats targeting schools and commercial establishments in Cebu.

READ ALSO: Mandaue City boosts schools’ security following Tacloban shooting

2024 bomb threat case

The warning also comes nearly two years after the NBI tracked down a 19-year-old college student who posted a bomb threat against her own university. That case shows how investigators use digital evidence and coordination with online platforms to identify suspects behind anonymous social media accounts.

In October 2024, the NBI identified and arrested a 19-year-old freshman of a university in Cebu City after a bomb threat posted on Facebook disrupted classes and forced the evacuation of the campus during midterm examinations.

According to the NBI, investigators launched an inquiry after receiving a request from the university. It sought the assistance of its Cybercrime Division in Manila, which coordinated with Facebook to get information on the account.

Online threat sources get no protection from Facebook

Authorities said that Facebook provided the mobile number, device information, and Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the account that posted the threat.

Investigators then cross-checked the information with university records before arresting the student a day after the threat was posted.

The NBI subsequently filed charges against the student for violating the Anti-Bomb Joke Law in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Digital trail

NBI-CEVRO Executive Officer for Administration Greg Algoso said that the 2024 case illustrates that people responsible for online threats can be identified. The process depends on coordination with social media platforms and other service providers.

“It could be traced but depending on the assistance that providers such as Facebook extend to us,” Algoso said.

Law enforcement agencies do not have direct access to user information.

Algoso also warned that posting threats online carries legal consequences.

“For every action, there are always consequences,” he said.

Series of recent threats

The warning follows a series of reported threats in Cebu over the past several days.

Among them were shooting threats targeting a college in Barangay Pahina Central and Inayawan National High School in Cebu City, a bomb threat that prompted the evacuation of a mall in Barangay Apas, a reported threat against schools in Talisay City, and another social media threat targeting a high school on Olango Island in Lapu-Lapu City.

READ ALSO: Talisay City: No classes in 2 schools July 6 after online threat —Gullas

Police Lieutenant Colonel Franco Rudolf Oriol said that investigators have so far found no evidence that the incidents were orchestrated. He serves as Deputy City Director for Administration of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Every threat treated as real

Instead, he said the threats appear to be copycat acts by individuals taking advantage of a trending issue. Two teenaged boys who opened fire in a Tacloban City high school on June 22 killed three individuals and caused injuries to 20 others. Authorities have arrested both boys.

Oriol said the CCPO has recorded five recent threat incidents, all of which police inspections proved to be negative.

Despite all recent threats turning out to be false, Oriol said that the police continue to follow standard operating procedures. They need to deploy bomb disposal teams and emergency responders whenever they receive such reports.

He said that authorities cannot afford to dismiss any threat because doing so could put lives at risk.

Watch your children, police asks

Oriol warned that hoax threats disrupt school operations and businesses, divert emergency resources, and could result in criminal charges.

He also appealed to parents to monitor their children’s social media activity. Some of the recent cases involved minors.

“Once you are identified and located, criminal cases will be filed against you. This will lead to serious consequences,” Oriol said.

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