Iloilo City seeks national aid as bomb threats pass 30 this year

Iloilo City officials seek technical and cyber-intelligence assistance from national agencies following the recent records of more than 30 bomb threats in schools and government institutions this year, which disrupted classes and prompted widespread security responses on Friday, November 21. 

Councilor Sedfrey Cabaluna, author of the resolution, said that the pattern of threats requires intervention from agencies with advanced cyber capabilities such as the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). 

“These threats are not only causing fear but are also severely disrupting the learning of students,” Cabaluna said.

Police reported that several threats were sent directly to or near schools, including messages received by West Visayas State University and other public and private schools in the city and neighboring municipalities. 

Police report that since November 12, there have been nearly forty bomb threats in Iloilo City and more than a dozen in neighboring towns. 

Cabaluna added that perpetrators use “online platforms and dummy accounts,” which makes it difficult for local investigators to trace the source.

Police confirmed that the Iloilo City Police Office, Iloilo Police Provincial Office, and the Philippine National Police Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit have yet to identify who is responsible. 

Authorities reported that a fifteen-year-old student taken into custody on Thursday is believed to be a copycat and is not linked to the earlier threats. 

The Iloilo City Council approved a resolution requesting support from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the National Telecommunications Commission, Meta, and the National Bureau of Investigation. 

The resolution stated that national agencies can provide “technical expertise and resources necessary to assist in tracing the origin of these threats, analyzing digital evidence, and identifying the individuals or groups responsible.” 

Local officials announced a combined reward of P200,000 for information that can lead to the arrest of those behind threats. 

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas and Iloilo Governor Arthur “Toto” Defensor Jr. each pledge P100,000 to encourage the public to report credible leads.

Bomb threats in Iloilo began rising in early 2025, prompting temporary evacuations and class suspensions in several public and private schools. 

Police reminded the public that issuing bomb threats is a criminal offense under Presidential Decree 1727, which penalizes those who spread false information that endangers public safety.