ILOILO City – Individuals, businesses and online pages behind fake bomb threats and other fabricated public safety warnings now face fines, possible prosecution and cyber-forensic investigation under a measure approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP).
The City Council passed on third and final reading the Anti-False Public Safety Alerts Ordinance of Iloilo City, strengthening the city’s response to hoax warnings that have triggered evacuations, disrupted classes and public activities, and unnecessarily mobilized police and emergency responders.
The measure targets the creation and deliberate spread of fabricated, misleading or unverified information presented as legitimate public safety warnings. It was introduced amid a series of bomb threats and hoax alerts affecting schools and other public spaces in the city.
The ordinance defines a false public safety alert as fabricated, misleading, unverified or intentionally distorted information presented as a safety warning that may cause panic, fear, confusion, disruption of public order or unnecessary mobilization of emergency services.
Prohibited acts include creating or fabricating false alerts, knowingly sharing them, impersonating government offices or emergency responders, manipulating official advisories, and using dummy or anonymous accounts to disseminate threats or false information.
The ordinance also prohibits fake profiles used to impersonate government agencies or emergency responders, as well as coordinated efforts by individuals or groups to amplify false alerts through digital platforms.
Under the measure, only designated government offices and agencies may issue official public safety alerts within Iloilo City.
These include the Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), Iloilo City Mayor’s Office, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and authorized national agencies such as the Office of Civil Defense; Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, Philippine Coast Guard, and Department of Health.
“All public safety alerts shall undergo mandatory verification by the responsible office prior to dissemination,” the ordinance states.
The verifying authority will depend on the nature of the reported threat or hazard.
According to Councilor Rudolph Jeffrey Ganzon, chairman of the SP committee on education and author of the new measure, the verification mechanism is intended to prevent unverified information from being mistaken for an official government warning.
The city government will also coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission, National Bureau of Investigation and Meta for technical investigations, digital forensics and tracing of false public safety alerts.
FINES, COMMUNITY SERVICE
Individual violators face escalating penalties.
A first offense carries a P2,000 fine, written warning and mandatory attendance at a public safety information seminar. A second offense carries a P3,500 fine and at least 24 hours of community service.
For third and succeeding offenses, the fine rises to P5,000, with violators potentially referred for the filing of appropriate charges under applicable national laws.
Businesses, organizations or online pages face a P5,000 fine, written warning and mandatory coordination meeting with the CDRRMO for a first offense.
A second offense carries another P5,000 fine and temporary suspension of the business permit or page operations for up to seven days.
A third offense carries a P5,000 fine and possible revocation of the business permit or referral for criminal prosecution under applicable national laws.
Ganzon said the ordinance does not replace national laws covering false bomb threats, cybercrime and related offenses.
It recognizes existing statutes, including Presidential Decree No. 1727, or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law; Executive Order No. 56, series of 2018, establishing the Emergency 911 Hotline; Republic Act No. 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act; and relevant provisions of the Revised Penal Code.
MINORS ALSO COVERED
The ordinance also covers violations committed by minors.
Parents or legal guardians will be financially liable for fines and monetary penalties, while community service will be performed by the minor under parental or guardian supervision and guidance.
School administrators, barangay officials and heads of institutions must immediately report suspected false alerts or digital threats to authorities.
They are also required to preserve digital evidence such as screenshots, message logs, timestamps and links without altering or deleting materials that could help investigators.
The ICPO, in coordination with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit, will lead investigations involving false public safety alerts disseminated through digital platforms and electronic communication channels.
Authorities may conduct cyber-forensic procedures, gather evidence, trace accounts and coordinate with national agencies and online service providers to identify those responsible.
DIGITAL LITERACY DRIVE
Beyond punishment, the ordinance requires sustained information and education campaigns against false public safety alerts.
The CDRRMO, ICPO and Public Information Office, in coordination with the Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education and barangay councils, will conduct seminars, orientations and digital literacy activities in schools, universities and communities.
Ganzon said public education is necessary because addressing false alerts is not limited to identifying and penalizing perpetrators.
The campaign will emphasize responsible online behavior, verification of information before sharing, proper use of digital platforms and awareness of the legal consequences of creating or spreading false alerts.
The city government will also use its official social media accounts, websites and other communication channels to release verified information and counter misinformation during emergencies.
The ordinance will take effect 15 days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation in Iloilo City or after posting in conspicuous places, in accordance with its provisions./PN
