For the first time the authorities were able to arrest a person who perpetrated a bomb threat.

A 19-year-old female student was charged for a bomb scare sent to Cebu Technological University (CTU) Main Campus. 

The National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas Regional Office (NBI-CEVRO) and NBI- Manila Anti-Cybercrime Division filed a case against the suspect.

She is under the custody of NBI-CEVRO. 

She refused to grant an on-camera interview, but she expressed reportedly how she regrets deeply the said wrongdoing. 

Operatives of NBI-CEVRO, NBI-CEBDO (Cebu District Office), and NBI-Manila Anti-Cybercrime Division in her residence in Barangay Tawason, Mandaue City. 

She was traced by investigators of the Anti-Cybercrime Division to be behind the October 21, 2024 bomb scare through the mobile phone number she used. 

Classes were suspended after the school received via social media a threat on a bomb placed inside the campus. The threat came with a supposed picture of the bomb. 

As the operations qualifed as a hot pursuit, the NBI operatives went to the house of the suspect and arrested her there. 

During the investigation, the student admitted reportedly to the crime but cited that she was coerced by a person she refused to disclose. 

Meanwhile, university officials will pursue a separate investigation on the disciplinary action they would impose upon the student. 

Atty. Marvey Ocampo, dean of CTU Main Campus’ Student Affairs and Services Office, assured that the student will be accorded due process. 

It was further learned that the student does not have derogatory records. She was described to be a “quiet person.” 

Atty. Renan Augustus Oliva, NBI-CEVRO director, confirmed that there were a number of bomb scares already in the region but this is the first time that a suspect was arrested and charged. 

The student will face cases for violations made to Presidential Decree 1727 or the Bomb Joke/Threat Law and Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.