Online bomb scares at Aklan capitol, Balete LGU spark public alarm

AKLAN – A social media post of a bomb threat targeted at the Aklan Provincial Capitol and the municipal government of Balete has sparked public alarm.

The post, made by an individual using a Facebook account on Tuesday morning, urged Gov. Jose Enrique Miraflores to visit the office, hinting at a potential explosive threat.

A separate bomb threat posted on the same social media platform on Sunday targeted Balete town, further alarming employees and residents in the area.

Meanwhile, the family of the real owner of the Facebook account came forward and maintained that he was not the perpetrator.

In a radio interview, Kalibo deputy chief of police Major Willian Aguire confirmed that the account of a certain Dennis Espina of Barangay Aranas, Balete, has been hacked.

To note, he was also a person with disability, and authorities are convinced that Espina does not have the capacity to initiate a bomb joke.

The family added that he has been without a cell phone for a considerable amount of time.

Aklan Police Provincial Office’s Explosive Canine Unit, along with the Kalibo police, immediately responded to the area.

Upon i nspection, t he bomb threat was proven to be negative, but the police remain on high alert.

Authorities are actively investigating the situation to ensure the safety of the public and government officials.

The public was also reminded not to cause bomb or threat pranks, which are punishable under Presidential Decree No. 1727, declaring unlawful the malicious dissemination of false information or the willful making of any threat concerning bombs, explosives, or any similar device or means of destruction./