Authorities nab NPC bomb threat suspect

A 37-year-old man who was allegedly behind the bomb threat at the National Privacy Commission (NPC) was arrested in Malinao, Aklan.

Personnel of the NBI and police joined forces to trace the source of the bomb threat messages in Malandayon, Malinao, Aklan, according to John Consulta’s “24 Oras” report on Friday.

“Noong nahuli namin, we tried to ring his cellphone, just to verify kung siya nga yun, nung nagring yung cellphone, kinuha na namin siya,” NBI Cybercrime Division Atty. Jeremy Lotoc said.

(When we caught him, we tried to ring his cellphone, just to verify if it was him when the cellphone rang, we took him.)

Last May 12, the NPC received a bomb threat which caused employees to evacuate from their offices.

The NPC then received at least 10 bomb threats within three days.

“Hindi siya tumigil even on the weekend meron pa rin, until Monday. Malaking perwisyo kasi ang dami naming iniimbestigahan, alam nating maraming mga alleged data leak na nangyayari sa atin. Apektado dito hindi lang yung NPC kundi ibang ahensya na nagrerent sa PICC,” NPC commissioner John Nery Naga said.

(He didn't stop even on the weekend until Monday. It caused so much trouble because we are investigating a lot of other cases. We all know that there are many alleged data leaks that are taking place. Not only the NPC employees were affected but also other agencies that rent offices at the PICC.)

However, the suspect said he sent the bomb threats due to the advertisements and errors on his cellphone whenever he used social media applications.

“Magddrive ako sa kalagitnaan ng araw at ulan, tapos biglang may technical error, siyempre magugulat ka po kung ganoon ang nangyayari, bigla hihinto or liliko. Paumanhin po at pasensya, wala akong intensyon na gawin ang hindi dapat. Ang sa akin lang po, para mapansin lang ako. Or kahit papano mag-chat lang sila sa akin,” suspect said.

(I will drive in the middle of the day and in the rain, then suddenly there is a technical error. Of course you will be surprised if that happens, suddenly stop or pull over. I'm sorry, I had no intention of doing anything wrong. I just needed my concerns addressed. Or at least they just chat with me.)

However, Naga said that was not a valid reason to threaten the NPC.

“Kung sa amin ka [nagreport], inayos mo, nag-complain ka sa amin, ifoforward namin yung complaint mo sa right department, sa right agency. Kailangan niyang panagutan kung ano ang ginawa niya, otherwise marami ang uulit,” said the commissioner.

(If you report to us, you file a proper complaint, and we will forward your complaint to the right department, to the right agency. He needs to take responsibility for what he did, otherwise other will behave similarly.)

“It’s the national office of the Privacy Commission which was targeted by the suspect. It has become a national issue. Wala kaming sini-sino rito eh (We don’t play favorites here). If you transgress the law, we will go after this transgressor,” NBI Deputy Director Atty. Jun De Guzman said.

The suspect will face complaints of grave threats in relation to Cybercrime Prevention Act and violation of the Republic Act No. 1727 or Anti-bomb Joke Law. — Richa Noriega/DVM, GMA Integrated News