Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 7) — The local government of Taguig said no explosives were found during a sweeping operation at a public school that was mentioned in an online bomb threat early Monday.
“Alarming threats of violence in a public school in the City of Taguig circulated on social media this morning. The local government received these reports and immediately coordinated with the Philippine National Police (PNP),” Taguig City’s public information office (PIO) said in a statement.
According to Taguig PNP, afternoon classes at Signal Village National High School were suspended following threats of violence commented by a certain “Sofia Smith” on a Facebook Live reportedly posted on “I Love Taguig”, the Facebook page of the city’s PIO.
“Papatayin ko lahat ng mga estudyante sa taguig signal village taguig city,” read one of the comments on the Facebook account as shared in screenshots by a Taguig community Facebook page.
“Papatayin ko lahat ng mga estudyante sa sa signal humanda kayong lahat hahaha papatyin ko lahat lahat,” it followed.
Meanwhile, Taguig City police chief Robert Baesa said his office is currently validating the screenshots of the comments circulating online and conducting an “in-depth investigation” with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group on the identity of the person behind the Facebook account named “Sofia Smith.”
Baesa added he has directed teams, including the Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) and the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Group, to patrol all schools in Taguig, especially in Signal Village.
The city government also called on its residents to remain calm and encouraged the public to avoid sharing false information that could “cause panic and alarm in the community.”
