STUDENTS at Cabantian National High School were evacuated early Wednesday morning, Jan. 21, following a bomb threat sent via social media.
The threat was reported to the police at approximately 6:29 a.m. after a 12-year-old Grade 7 student received a message on Facebook Messenger from an account using the profile name “Dumpni Jo.”
The message, written in a mix of English and Bisaya, warned: “Good morning Cabantian National High School. This is not a prank. Listen to my every word, because if you don’t, it’s your fault to die that day… The clock is ticking.” (If you don’t, the deaths that day will be your fault).
Upon receiving the report, authorities immediately coordinated with school officials to evacuate students to the Barangay Cabantian gymnasium as a safety precaution.
The Davao City EOD-K9 Unit, led by PSMS Arsil Indagacan, arrived shortly after to conduct a thorough sweep and “paneling” of the campus.
By mid-morning, experts declared the area safe, reporting negative findings for any explosive devices.
Initial investigations revealed that the student who received the message had shared it with a classmate, who initially dismissed it as a scam and deleted the message from the recipient’s phone.
However, the students eventually alerted their teachers, triggering the emergency response.
Local police confirmed that the mobile phone used to receive the message will be turned over to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit XI for digital forensic examination.
Appropriate charges will be filed against any person found violating the law, specifically those involving bomb jokes or threats.”
Under Presidential Decree No. 1727, the dissemination of false information concerning bombs carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and heavy fines.
Photo courtesy of DCPO
