A TOP Palace official on Thursday said he supports moves in Congress to impose stiffer criminal penalties on those caught making hoax bomb threats.
“I am in favor of the move to have a law on this, if only to quell these hoaxes which are not good. They must be disciplined,” said Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea in an interview with former senator and broadcaster Orly Mercado over dwFM radio.
The Palace on Tuesday issued guidelines for a state of emergency, as it defended warrantless arrests, searches and seizures.
Memorandum Order No. 3, entitled “Providing Guidelines for the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police in the Implementation of Measures to Suppress and Prevent Lawless Violence,” was signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea on Sept. 5, 2016.
On the other hand, Medialdea reiterated that there is nothing new in the guidelines since this is already found in the Philippine Constitution.
He also said this situation has already been done in the past, particularly in Mindanao.
“There will only be some inconvenience like in checkpoints, you would be stopped. But this would ensure safety of the citizens, Mr. Senator. Isnt’ it? This is just a little discomfort and inconvenience to achieve peace which we want,” Medialdea said.
Medialdea also said he does not want this to be long, and hoped that the country would be back to normal soon.
House leaders earlier sought to impose stiffer penalties against any person who is responsible for hoax bomb threat in populated areas.
Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Quezon City Reps. Alfred Vargas and Winston Castelo and Marikina City Rep. Miro Quimbo said it is high time for Congress to impose harsh punishment against persons behind prank bomb threats.Ӭ
Vargas said that hoax bomb threats also trigger psychological trauma to many students.Ӭ
“These prank calls, prank bomb threats are no joke. The public, not only the students, are not only inconvenienced because of the traffic, but addressing such incidents cost the government and the public in terms of resources, time wasted, and lost opportunities,” said Vargas.”¨
Vargas underscored the need to amend or supplement Presidential Decree No. 1727, which penalizes any person who communicates false information or attempts to damage or destroy any property through explosives.Ӭ
Under PD No. 1727, Romualdez said it only imposes imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine of not more than P40,000 or both.Ӭ
Castelo said authorities should also make sure that prank callers are penalized.Ӭ
“They (prank callers) should be arrested and placed behind bars because they sow panic and terror to many, especially to the innocent minds of students,” said Castelo.