Explainer: What are the penalties for posting shooting or bomb threats online?

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A few words posted online can empty classrooms, shut down businesses, and prompt a massive police response within minutes. Beyond the panic they cause, false shooting and bomb threats can also result in criminal charges.

Following a series of online threats targeting schools and other establishments across Cebu in recent weeks, authorities reminded the public that those behind such posts can be traced, investigated, and prosecuted under Philippine law.

Police Lieutenant Col. Franco Oriol, deputy director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said there is no single charge that automatically applies to every case.

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

“We cannot pinpoint particularly what case should be filed. It depends on the situation,” Oriol said.

He explained that investigators must first assess the circumstances and severity of each incident before determining the appropriate charges.

READ: Cebu police: Recent school, bomb threats were not coordinated

Cybercrime Law

Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, covers crimes committed through computers, mobile phones, the internet, and other information and communications technologies.

This means threats sent through online platforms, text messages, emails, or other digital channels may be prosecuted if they violate the Revised Penal Code or another special law.

READ: Bomb hoax: Cebu City eyes raps, has culprit’s number, e-mail

The Cybercrime Prevention Act also provides that if an offense is committed through information and communications technologies, the penalty is generally one degree higher than that prescribed under the original law.

Oriol cited a recent case involving an online post that threatened teachers and the principal of the Inayawan National High School.

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

Through cyber investigation, intelligence gathering, and coordination with concerned stakeholders, police identified the account owner as a 13-year-old former student.

Because the suspect was a minor, authorities instead subjected the child to intervention and assessment.

READ: Cebu school shooting threat: Cybercrime unit, NBI tapped to trace poster

Oriol said that if the suspect had not been a minor and authorities found an actual imminent threat, criminal charges would have been filed against him.

“It can be charged through threat or fraud in connection with the cybercrime law,” Oriol said.

Even bomb jokes are punishable

People who spread false bomb threats may also face charges under Presidential Decree No. 1727, more commonly known as the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.

The law makes it a crime to intentionally spread false information or issue threats involving bombs, explosives, or similar destructive devices, even if the person later claims it was only meant as a joke.

Under the decree, anyone who engages in this act may face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to P40,000, or both, depending on the court’s decision.

Investigating cybercrimes

The Cybercrime Prevention Act designates the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the agencies responsible for investigating cybercrimes.

Both agencies maintain specialized cybercrime units that exclusively handle cases involving violations of the law.

The law also allows investigators, when there is sufficient legal basis, to collect traffic data linked to a specific online communication in real time.

Traffic data include information such as the communication’s origin, destination, route, date, time, size, duration, and type of internet service used. It does not include the content of messages or the identities of users.

Authorities need a court-issued warrant before they can obtain or disclose other forms of digital information.

Internet service providers and other service providers are likewise required to assist law enforcement authorities in collecting information that is legally allowed under the law.

An earlier CDN Digital report cited a case handled by the NBI in Central Visayas in October 2024, where an online bomb threat forced the evacuation of a university campus in Cebu City during midterm examinations.

Investigators later identified the person behind the post as a 19-year-old freshman after obtaining his account information. This included the student’s linked mobile number, device details, and Internet Protocol (IP) address, through coordination with the social media platform.

The student was subsequently charged with violating the Anti-Bomb Joke Law in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Legal consequences

Several online threats have been reported across Cebu in recent days, prompting evacuations, class disruptions, and heightened police presence.

Oriol reminded the public that regardless of whether a post is made out of anger, revenge, or as a prank, it can still have legal consequences.

“Bisag unsa pa ang motibo nimo, be it personal or joke lang, naa nay mga consequences.”

(Whatever your motive may be, whether it’s personal or just meant as a joke, there are consequences.) / with a report from Lyle Andales

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