Woman nabbed for bomb joke

Another joke has bombed.

A woman was arrested after posting a bomb joke in the social media page of the Cebu City Health Office yesterday morning.

The suspect, who was later traced and identified as Carmelinda Caballero, 33, Dumagpi, a resident of Sitio Kawit, Barangay Ermita, Cebu City, is now detained in the Mabolo Police Station.

She reportedly messaged the account of the said government agency saying: "Huwag kayong magtrabaho may bomba ang City Health. Hahahaaha sasabog ito ika ugma sa buntag."

This alarmed personnel handling the social media page, prompting them to report it to the authorities.

"Didto siya nagmessage kay daghan man didto mag-inquire if open ba kung Saturday, naa man admin nga magtan-aw and mo-reply, and pagkakita sa City Health Officer naalarma sila sa message," said Senior Inspector Janilito Marquez, deputy station commander of the Mabolo police.

Personnel from the Mabolo Police Station went to the office and were shown the message. They immediately called the Explosive Ordnance Division which specializes in bomb alarm response.

EOD personnel cordoned off the area which resulted in slight traffic congestion, shortly until noon yesterday.

Marquez said the alarm caused hassle to the public transacting with the office to process their health cards.

"Daghan kaayo ang nahasol kay daghan niadto aron magkuha’g health card," he said.

After a search no bomb or improvised explosive device was found.

Marquez said that they were able to locate the suspect through the help of intelligence units and the local community.

"Amo gi-follow up ang suspect until sa Barangay Ermita, with the help sa intelligence community and bomb squad amo natabangan pag-locate by all means amo gigamit para ma-arrest," he said.

Marquez said the suspect denied posting the threatening message.

She will face a case of violating Presidential Decree 1727 or unlawful malicious dissemination of false information of the willful making of any threat concerning bombs or explosives.