Residents of Santa Cruz, Laguna found their daily lives disrupted last Wednesday, June 18, after a bomb threat forced the suspension of classes and government work.
In a statement posted on his social media page, Santa Cruz Mayor Edgar San Luis announced the suspension of classes in all levels, as well as government work, citing safety concerns amid the bomb threat.
“Ngayong araw, kumakalat ang isang mensahe sa social media ukol sa umano’y bomb threat sa ating bayan. Bilang tugon at pag-iingat, suspendido po ang pasok sa lahat ng antas ng pampubliko at pribadong paaralan, gayundin ang operasyon ng ating lokal na pamahalaan ay pansamantalang ihihinto habang sinisiyasat ito ng ating mga awtoridad,” the mayor explained.
Earlier, messages had circulated among social media groups in Santa Cruz from an “anonymous group” who claimed that they had planted explosive devices inside the Santa Cruz Municipal Hall, the Laguna Provincial Capitol, and other public schools and facilities in the town.
Officials from the Santa Cruz Central Elementary School, who also received the message, immediately informed local police regarding the threat.
A thorough inspection by members of the Explosives and Ordnance Disposal Unit of the Laguna Police Provincial Office later found no traces of explosives in the places mentioned in the bomb threat.
"Ayon sa paunang report ng Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, isang hoax o panloloko ang nasabing bomb threat," Laguna Governor Ramil Hernandez said in his social media post Wednesday.
"Ang akin pong pakiusap sa lahat ay iwasan ang pagpapakalat ng maling impormasyon na maaaring magdulot pa ng takot sa ating mga kababayan," he added.
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