A BOMB scare sent students, parents, and school faculty into a frenzy at Sta. Ana Central Elementary School (SACES) after a fake news peddler posted that the school was bombed on June 22, 2023.
At around 10 a.m., parents whose children are studying in SACES started arriving at the school to fetch their children because they have read the FB post of the fake news peddler.
However, when traced by the Sta. Ana Police Station, led by deputy station commander Police Captain Rizalito Clapiz III, it was discovered that the incident was only a bomb scare.
Sta. Ana Police Chief PLt.Col. Ronald Lao, in a text message, also confirmed that the incident is fake news.
"Naay nag post sa fb maam tapos niadto dayun mga parents kay naa daw na sulti na bomb ang school pero fake news (Somebody posted on FB that sent the parents in a frenzy going to school, because somebody said that the school was bombed but it was only fake news)," PLt.Col. Lao said.
Clapiz immediately allayed the fears of the parents by posting an FB live showing the situation inside the school while the K9 Unit of the explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) team of the Davao City police searched every corner of the school.
After a few minutes, Clapiz captioned his post "all cleared".
Lao confirmed that the school is already cleared of bombs and is secured.
However, the incident suspended the classes at around 12 noon, as police authorities advised that no one should be allowed entry into the school.
"Actually, nag-declare naman na clear ang area, wala jud bomba, pero para makampante ang tanan ug iwas kabalaka sa mga ginikanan dili lang usa pasudlan, mao na ang advice sa mga police po ug mao pod na ang gi-announce sa principal, mosunod lang pod ta kay sila man ang mas nakabalo, (The area was already declared 'cleared,' no bombs found, but for the satisfaction of all and to prevent worries and anxieties, the school does not allowed entry as of the moment. That is the advice of the police authorities and that is also announced by the principal. We need to follow their advice since they know the situation better than us,)" Josephine Wayan, SACES teacher revealed when asked online.
Dr. Reynante Solitario, Davao City Schools Division Superintendent, also confirmed the suspension of the classes at SACES.
"Yes mam. Shift to blended. Ugma resume na for examinations sa mga bata (Tomorrow the students will resume their examinations)," Solitario said through Messenger.
"Perte gyod nakong lisanga gibiyaan nako akong trabaho, nidagan dayon ko sa eskuwelahan. Sayunan mo na nga gibombahan daw ang Sta Ana Elementary. Sa nagpakatag ato na tsismis unta masilotan to, ipapriso para motagam (I panicked that I left my work! I ran to the school. Imagine Sta. Ana elementary was bombed?! To those who peddled that fake news, I hope you will be jailed so that you will stop peddling fake news!)," Maricel Gallardo, 34-year-old mother of two students of SACES said in an interview with SuperVoxPop Davao yesterday.
Meanwhile, at around 4 p.m., the Department of Education-Davao Region (DepEd-Davao) released a statement condemning the bomb threat/scare.
"...This Office vehemently condemns the bomb threat/scare in one of our schools, Sta. Ana Central Elementary School which caused disruption of classes and eruption of commotion this morning, June 22, 2023," the statement reads.
DepEd-Davao revealed that the frenzy of parents going to SACES was caused by the "unsubstantiated messages rapidly circulating in various Group Chats pertaining to an alleged bomb explosion at Sta. Ana Central Elementary School."
DepEd-Davao also stated that no one was injured nor harmed during the chaos caused by the fake news.
"With the help of the school's Disaster and Risk Management Team and the Sta. Ana District Supervisor's Office, a well-systematized student release was administered. As of posting, this Office is closely coordinating with the concerned authorities for the investigation of the source of the aforesaid deceptive information. We would like to commend how the Sta. Ana Central Elementary School systematically managed the situation through prompt communication, intimate alleviation of parents' anxieties, and expeditious coordination with experts and local authorities," the statement added.
At around 2:45 p.m. on June 22, the EOD-K9 Unit of the Davao City Police was still at the school to ensure its safety even as it was already confirmed that the bomb incident was fake news.
The police authorities are requesting the public to stop making or uttering bomb jokes since it is punishable by law.
According to Presidential Decree (PD) 1727 or the "Anti-Bomb Joke Law" uttering bomb jokes is punishable with five years imprisonment or a fine of not more than P40,000. CEA with JPC
