Police officers arrest a man for allegedly making a bomb joke on Sunday, 23 June 2024, at a mall in Davao City. Photo courtesy of Davao City Police Office
DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 24 June) –- A man was detained Sunday afternoon after allegedly making a “bomb joke” at a large mall here.
In a police spot report sent to media, the suspect, identified as alias “Nelson,” of legal age and a resident of Purok 9, South Bay, Agdao this city, purportedly made the bomb joke as he and his partner were entering SM Lanang Premier’s supermarket Entrance 1.
Nelson claimed that there was a bomb inside his bag, which was overheard by a security guard, who was alarmed by it.
The unidentified security guard held Nelson, after which he immediately informed a personnel from the Tourist Police Unit (TPU) nearby that he caught him making a bomb joke.
Moments later police officers from the Bajada Police Station arrived at the mall premises and arrested the suspect.
The suspect faces violation of Presidential Decree No.
1727, which criminalizes the act of making false bomb threats.
It imposes strict penalties on individuals who disseminate false information about bombs, explosives, or any similar device, whether as a joke or with malicious intent. The decree aims to prevent public panic or disruptions that the bomb joke might potentially cause.
According to the decree, a person found guilty of making a bomb joke can be “punished with imprisonment of not more than five years, or a fine of not more than P40,000.00, or both at the discretion of the court. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)
