FIRST District Congressman Celso Lobregat has issued an advisory to the public to refrain from making bomb jokes since they might end up in jail.
Lobregat issued the advice amidst the full alert status of the military and police authorities due to constant terror threats as well as persistent reports on plans of local terror group to carry out bombing attack similar to that in Davao City that killed 14 people and injured more than 70 others.
He said the constituents should also increase vigilance in support to the law enforcers in the maintenance of peace and order and not to make fan out of it.
The lawmaker said that malicious dissemination of false information of the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device or means of destruction is penalized under Presidential Decree No. 1727.
Lobregat cited Section 1 of P.D. 1727, which further states that in the wake of recent bombings and other terroristic acts committed by lawless elements in the country, such lawless elements, and other persons popularly known or described as “pranksters,” having been conveying, propagating or otherwise disseminating false information or willfully making threats regarding the alleged presence of bombs, explosives, incendiary devices or any similar device or means of destruction in buildings, tenements and other places by word of mouth or through the use of telephones, telegraph, the mail, and other means of communication, for the purpose of causing or creating public confusion and disorder; knowing the same to be false, shall upon conviction be punished with imprisonment of not more than five years, or a fine of not more than P40,000 or both at the discretion of the court having jurisdiction over the offense herein define and penalized.
The offender shall be arrested by means of an Arrest, Search and Seizure order and shall not be entitled to bail pending trial by the military tribunals or military courts, which shall have exclusive jurisdiction over cases involving any violation of the provisions of this decree.
Lobregat said the public should take this issue seriously and should be responsible enough to tell their families and friends not to make fun with this bomb joke or bomb scare in any manner for that matter, in order not to cause panic considering the fact that Zamboanga City is presently under threat, due to the ongoing military offensive against the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) in Basilan and Sulu provinces.
He said this city is vulnerable to terror attacks due to its proximity to the provinces of Basilan and Sulu.
He called on the Zamboangueños to increase vigilance, avoid crowded places and be suspicious at all times.
He said they have to learn to trust the police and military on the ground to respond to any eventuality and even to look into suspicious baggage or person around them.
“Let us help each other in protecting our city,” he added. (Bong Garcia/Sunnex)