Painter accused of making bomb joke at school

A PAINTER was arrested by police for allegedly making a bomb joke at a university along Sanciangko Street in Cebu City on Thursday.

Ismael Momo, a 29-year-old resident of Barangay Guadalupe, Cebu City, presented his backpack bag for inspection at the entrance of the University of San Carlos – Main Campus past 9 a.m. and told the security guard that it contained a bomb.

He was immediately taken into custody by the guard who called the assistance of the police, said PO2 Edadis Bustarde of the Parian police precinct. It was supposedly Momo’s first day of work.

Members of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) thoroughly inspected Momo’s bag but didn’t find any explosives. Bustarde said they are waiting for the security management of USC to pursue the charges against Momo.

“If they won’t file any case, then we will be forced to release the suspect. Without the school’s cooperation, the case is weak and won’t likely prosper,” he said.

Momo admitted making a bomb joke but said he didn’t know it was prohibited by law.

“Mangayo intawn kog pasaylo. Wala ko kahibaw nga bawal diay na. (I ask for forgiveness. I didn’t have any idea that bomb jokes are unlawful),” he said.

Momo is the sixth person to be taken into custody for allegedly making bomb jokes in Cebu City since Sept. 9.

Last Sept. 9, police arrested Jasmin Sala, a production worker from Mandaue City, for dropping a bomb joke at Robinsons Place Cebu.

Three days later, 19-year-old Carl John Sacal was arrested for allegedly making a bomb joke at City Soho Mall along B. Rodriguez Street, Cebu City.

Last Sept. 14, a 15-year-old student was also taken into custody by security officers of Ayala Center Cebu for allegedly dropping a bomb joke. The boy, however, was later released by the management of Ayala Center Cebu.

Last Sept. 15, Janelle Camacho was arrested for making a bomb joke at Gaisano Capital South along Colon Street at around 10 a.m.

Last Monday, Emily Baclaan was arrested for allegedly cracking a bomb joke at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

Presidential Decree (PD) 1727 declares as unlawful the malicious dissemination of false information and willful threat concerning bombs, explosives or any similar device, through word of mouth, use of mail, telephone, telegraph, printed materials and other means of communication.

PD 1727, issued in October 1980, provides a penalty of not more than five years imprisonment or a fine of not more than P40,000 or both.