Privacy body rocked by bomb threat

The National Privacy Commission (NPC), which is mandated to safeguard personal data of Filipinos, received a bomb threat before noon on Friday, May 12, forcing the agency to suspend office operations as it evacuated its personnel to safety.

In a statement, NPC Commissioner John Henry D. Naga said the bomb threat was received through the NPC official Facebook page around 11:45 a.m.

“I want to assure the public that we are taking this bomb threat very seriously, and we have implemented all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of our premises and personnel,” said Naga.

Upon receiving the bomb threat, NPC immediately activated its emergency response procedures and notified the security office of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City, where the office is located.

“We have already coordinated with the relevant authorities and will be working closely with them to ascertain the credibility and origin of the threat,” he added.

The NPC was holding a virtual clarificatory meeting with GCash officials following complaints of unauthorized transactions on the e-wallets of some of its customers around the time the bomb threat was received. The meeting started at 10 a.m. and ended at 11:53 a.m. via online platform.

Naga emphasized that NPC plays a critical role in safeguarding the privacy rights of individuals and protecting their personal data. “We are committed to upholding our mandate, and threats against our institution will not prevent us from fulfilling our responsibilities,” said Naga.

He said that NPC remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting the privacy rights of every Filipino citizen. “Our work is vital in fostering trust in the digital landscape, and we will not be deterred by any acts of intimidation or threats. Stay safe and let us stand together in safeguarding data privacy and upholding the rule of law,” Naga said.