Iloilo: The provincial government here is offering a PHP100,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators behind the string of bomb threats plaguing the province. “Like the city (government), it will be PHP100,000 for any useful information that will lead to something concrete,” Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. said in a media interview Wednesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the governor emphasized that bomb jokes are not just pranks but a serious matter that constitute a criminal offense. Defensor convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) last Thursday, where they tackled the series of bomb threats made against schools in the city and province of Iloilo. In the meeting, he urged the concerned agencies to act fast to stop the incidence of bomb threats to ensure the safety and security of the populace. “Together with the other agencies, we will investigate. We will pursue this so it won’t persist and be repeated,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Department of Education in Western Visayas urged all schools to “heighten security awareness, ensure functionality of communication lines, and fully cooperate with the local DRRM (disaster risk reduction and management) councils and law enforcement agencies.” It instructed that upon receipt or confirmation of a credible bomb threat, schools must initiate evacuation procedures, move learners and personnel to safe assembly areas, and coordinate with the PNP-EOD (Philippine National Police – Explosive and Ordnance Disposal) Team for verification, area clearing, and investigation. Classes and work shall be suspended, during which alternative delivery modes may be implemented.

The department further stated that classes and work will only resume upon official clearance and when premises are confirmed safe by authorities.