ILOILO – With bomb threats sweeping public and private schools across Iloilo province and Iloilo City, Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has ordered the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) to launch a technology-driven manhunt to unmask those behind the scares.
Defensor said he will convene the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and IPPO director Police Colonel Bayani Razalan to press for a more aggressive and digitally equipped investigation — not only on the surge of bomb threats but also on recent major crimes, including the killing of a seven-year-old girl in Lambunao.
“We will ask our provincial director to use technology on identifying kon diin naghalin,” Defensor said. “I know nga ang iban abi nila tungod ara sa internet and cellphone agyan mo indi ka mabal-an pero kon hungdon kag usaran sang technology kag tagaan sang tiempo, mabal-an kon sin-o ikaw.”
The governor stressed that while police are doing their part, the situation now demands intensified action supported by digital tools and forensic tracing.
“I know they are doing that, I monitored the progress. I know that ginahimu nila ang obra… we’ll have to engage our PNP (Philippine National Police), our provincial (police), to have more intensified action,” he said.
Defensor also warned perpetrators that hiding behind digital platforms will not save them from prosecution.
“Illegal ang ginahimu sang sining mga persona kag kon madakpan, puede gid nga makasohan,” he said.
Five schools were hit almost simultaneously on Nov. 17: Iloilo National High School, West Visayas State University (WVSU) Main, WVSU Calinog, Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) La Paz, Hua Siong College of Iloilo, and Guimbal National High School.
Earlier threats were reported at the University of San Agustin Extension Campus on Nov. 12 and ISAT-U on Nov. 13.
A mall along Delgado Street also received a threat on Nov. 14 through the Facebook page of a radio station.
Defensor said perpetrators must not assume they can “slip through” digital anonymity: once police exhaust technological tools, “makilala kag madakpan gid ang mga ini.”/PN
