GINGOOG CITY - Officials in Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, declared a bomb threat targeting a public school to be unfounded following an investigation, as confirmed by police and local government authorities on Friday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the scare, which affected the Gingoog City Comprehensive National High School in Barangay 23, led to the evacuation of students and staff around 10:30 a.m., even before law enforcement arrived on the scene.
In response to the incident, Mayor Erick Cañosa convened law enforcement units and department officials to trace the origins of the bomb threat that had been circulated online. This situation prompted some public schools in the area to preemptively cancel classes as a precautionary measure. Upon arrival, the police team took positions at the school's gate, while others engaged in an information campaign regarding the handling of bomb threats to educate and reassure the community.
The authorities have issued a warning about the legal consequences of disseminating false information regarding bomb threats, highlighting the seriousness with which such matters are treated. Under Presidential Decree 1727, also known as the Anti-Bomb Joke Law, individuals found guilty of spreading bomb hoaxes face penalties including imprisonment for up to five years and fines not exceeding PHP40,000.
This incident underscores the importance of responsible communication and the impact of false alarms on community safety and resources.