Cebu City Cops to Include Warning on Bomb Jokes in Oplan Tokhang

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is reminding the public that making bomb jokes inside malls and other establishments is prohibited as part of their Oplan Tokhang.

Superintendent Cheryl Boniao, chief Police Community Relations (PCR) of the Cebu City Police Office, said the public needs a constant reminder about making bomb jokes.

The move came after two persons were arrested for declaring some of their carried items were bombs.

Jasmin Sala, 37, was arrested on Sept. 9 inside a mall in Fuente Osmena after saying that her bag contained a bomb, while Carl John Sacal, 19 was caught on Sept. 12 in a mall on B. Rodriguez St. for causing panic because he said that his Bluetooth speaker was an explosive.

Chief Superintendent Noli Taliño, Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 director, urged the public not to cause panic in the public by making bomb jokes, saying they will arrest them and file charges against them.

“It’s sad that there are still people who make bomb jokes,” he said.

Presidential Decree 1727 outlaws “malicious dissemination of false information of the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device.”

It carries a penalty of imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of PHP40,000. (PNA) LAP/EB/EDS