CEBU CITY — Police and emergency responders launched a massive security operation after a reported bomb threat disrupted a mall in Cebu IT Park on Friday afternoon, July 3.
Authorities received the threat at around 3:40 p.m. through a social media message claiming that an improvised explosive device (IED) had been planted inside a comfort room on the mall’s second floor.
The report prompted the immediate activation of emergency protocols.
The Incident Management Team set up a command post at Garden Bloc as personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Mabolo Police Station, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team, K-9 Unit, Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), Barangay Apas emergency responders, Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO), Apas Fire Volunteers, and mall security force secured the area.
At about 4:30 p.m., SWAT personnel entered the mall and began systematic search and clearing operations.
Responders cleared the second floor by 4:40 p.m., followed by the ground floor five minutes later.
By 4:49 p.m., the SWAT team had also cleared the third floor, although authorities continued inspecting the building and validating the threat.
Investigators had not found any explosive device as of Friday afternoon and continued determining whether the report was credible or a hoax.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival said the city government immediately mobilized response teams upon receiving the report.
“The Philippine National Police, SWAT Team, K-9 Unit, Bureau of Fire Protection, CCDRRMO, Barangay Apas responders, and mall security promptly conducted coordinated search and clearing operations,” he added.
Archival urged the public to stay calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
“Atong gihangyo ang publiko nga magpabiling kalmado, likayan ang pagpakaylap og dili beripikadong impormasyon, ug sundon ang mga advisories gikan sa atong mga otoridad. Ang kaluwasan sa matag Sugboanon mao ang atong labing unang prayoridad,” he said.
(We urge the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and follow the advisories issued by our authorities. The safety of every Cebuano remains our top priority)
Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council head Dave Tumulak confirmed that authorities responded immediately to assess the threat and secure the mall. Friday’s incident came less than 24 hours after another security scare at Cebu Eastern College in Barangay Pahina Central.
Police initially treated the report as a bomb threat but later confirmed it involved an alleged school shooting threat posted on Facebook.
After inspecting the campus, police and school officials found no suspicious items or indications of an imminent attack, allowing classes to resume.