EXPLOSIVE Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and K9 units from the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) cleared Corcuera Elementary School in Barangay Panacan on Friday morning, July 24, after an alleged bomb threat that disrupted classes was determined to have stemmed from an unverified social media post.
A police report from DCPO Police Station 4 (Sasa) revealed that Central 911 alerted officers at around 10:20 a.m. after a parent reported seeing a threat online.
Initial police investigation showed that a resident, identified as alias Kristine, showed an online post to Alias Marie, 54, a parent waiting for her granddaughter at the school.
Marie immediately alerted the school’s assistant principal.
However, Kristine later admitted to investigators that she could not verify whether the information came from a Facebook post, an SMS, or a private Messenger message, noting she had first seen the post around 11 p.m. on July 23.
In response, Sasa Police and Barangay Panacan Tanod forces secured the perimeter while the DCPO EOD-K9 team conducted a thorough sweeping operation across the campus.
School administrators suspended classes for the day as a safety precaution.
Police declared the threat unverified and unfounded.
Barangay Panacan Punong Barangay Dr. Ericson D. Batican reiterated calls for public responsibility, warning against sharing unverified claims that trigger unnecessary panic and consume critical public safety resources.
“We remind everyone that making bomb threats or spreading false information that causes public alarm is a serious criminal offense punishable under Philippine law,” Batican said.
Under Presidential Decree No. 1727, spreading false bomb threats or rumors carries a penalty of up to five years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to ₱40,000, or both.
Sasa Police Station officers are currently conducting follow-up cyber-investigations to trace the original source and identify the individuals responsible for circulating the unverified post.
