The bombings in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat last Sunday and on August 28, killing civilians and injuring many others, most of them young adults, have raised fears of similar incidents here in the city. We are still reeling from the Sept. 2, 2016 bombing at the Roxas Night Market and authorities are doing everything within their means to prevent such terrorism from happening again.
All of us are encouraged to be vigilant and mindful of any disturbing event or incident as this is a security matter which can affect a great number of people. We should be responsible enough not to sow panic unnecessarily. There have been text messages and messages on Facebook circulating about bomb threats which has heightened the fear of people to the point of paranoia. Those who are circulating these messages unwittingly fall into the trap of furthering the “message” of terror groups.
Davao City Police Office director Sr. Supt. Alexander Tagum cautioned people that “the intention of terrorism is precisely what is happening to most of our people, to scare them in a way that simply walking out in the streets is becoming impossible.”
Passing on messages of bomb threats without verification from proper authorities is a criminal offense, a violation of Presidential Decree 1727 which carries with it penalties of imprisonment and a fine. The law covers those who willfully make any threat or maliciously communicates deceitful information by word of mouth, mail, telephone, telegraph, or other instruments, or means of communication.
These times as us to have the proper tools in understanding what is happening in the world today.
We live in difficult times, and as we always say, this requires eternal vigilance.
