PNP works to unmask bomb scare suspect

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is working with its foreign counterparts to unmask the person behind the bomb scares that hit six government offices and a public school on Tuesday.

The PNP’s chief publicist, Col. Jean Fajardo, said yesterday the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) is working to identify who is behind an email message, which based on their investigation, originated from Japan.

Fajardo said the same email was transmitted to China, South Korea and Taiwan.

“The PNP-ACG coordinated with its foreign counterparts to trace the origin of this email,” Fajardo said.

The person who sent the email introduced himself as Takahiro Karasawa, supposedly a Japanese lawyer.

Fajardo said it is uncertain if the bomb scares were the handiwork of just one person or a group.

Based on their investigation, Fajardo said the email is fake, adding the same message has circulated in September and October.

Fajardo urged the public to refrain from sharing the bomb threats on social media platforms so as not to sow fear and chaos.

Meanwhile, a bomb scare hit Manila yesterday after a box believed to contain explosives was left along Ayala Bridge.

A concerned citizen informed a traffic enforcer of the Manila city government about a suspicious box found on the bridge going to Mendiola at around 1:40 p.m.

The traffic enforcer informed police about the matter, prompting personnel of the Manila Police District’s explosives and canine unit to respond to the site.

Police cordoned off the area.

Authorities found that the box contained used clothes and a dead dog. – Ghio Ong