THE Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has filed criminal charges, including robbery extortion against the arrested suspect of a bomb scare at a local high school in January.

Lt. Col. Joseph Euje Almaquer, Cubao Police Station (PS -7) chief, told The Manila Times that Elfrank Emil Anthony Bacle Kadusale, 22, of Barangay San Martin De Porres, also in Cubao, was formally charged before the City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law in relation to Section 6 of Republic Act 10175 or the Anti-Cyber Crime Law.

“He was also charged with robbery-extortion after he demanded P100, 000 when he posted the bomb threat through the Facebook page of Ponciano Bernardo High School,” Almaquer said.

Asked if the suspect is still in police custody, Almaquer said they were only waiting for a resolution from the prosecutors.

“He may be able to get out of detention anytime today (Tuesday) or tomorrow but of course after he posts bail,” said the police chief who declined to say how much the bail bond was.

Get the latest news


delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times’ daily newsletters

By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Police records showed the bomb threat was posted on Jan. 26, 2023, by a certain Bob Key Ser Panganiban.

The message said there was a bomb that was planted inside one of the comfort rooms of the school and that everyone would be wiped out.

The incident was immediately reported to PS-7 by the school principal past 9 a. m. of the same day and relayed to QCPD’s ordnance and explosives unit.

The lawmen hurriedly inspected the area but did not see any sign of a bomb or improvised explosive device.

BGen. Nicolas Torre 3rd, QCPD chief, said an investigation was immediately conducted which showed that the profile picture used by the sender turned out to be a Grade 8 Alternative Learning System (ALS) student at P. Bernardo Elementary School.

Operatives proceeded to the whereabouts of the minor who, during a police interview, said that the account he used in sending the threat was not his but belonged to another.

He also identified “Kadusale” as a classmate.

The minor texted the suspect who agreed to proceed to the barangay hall of San Martin de Porres, Cubao to clarify things.

Consequently, the lawmen asked the suspect to voluntarily submit his cellular phone for verification.

The minor admitted that it was his account and verified that the same account was used in the bomb threat.

As a result, policemen collared Kadusale and brought him to the police station past 2 p. m. on the same day.

“I have been warning the public to refrain from posting or making bomb jokes because for sure they will be caught and charged criminally,” Torre said.

Mayor Maria Josefina “Joy” Belmonte issued stern warning against pranksters as she directed the QCPD to go after them.

Aside from the school in Cubao, the New Era Elementary School, Emilio Jacinto High School and San Francisco High School were also hit by bomb threats.

“We will go after those who spread false information or pranks about bomb threats. Our schools are supposed to be a safe place for our students and we will not take these pranks and threats lightly,” Belmonte said.

The mayor told The Manila Times that she has asked the city council to craft an ordinance that will prescribe heavier penalties or fines to anyone who disseminates false information about bombs or explosives.