Fear and alarm were felt by many citizens after a fake document was spread online claiming that SM Malls, particularly SM Baguio, received a bomb threat from the Abu Sayyaf.
The picture of the document that is being shared in social media is supposedly a letter to the Philippine National Police to strengthen security because of a message received from SM officers.
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The alleged message from SM officers claim that they got a call from the Abu Sayyaf, demanding an amount of $15 million dollars or else they would bomb the said mall. The fake letter also requested for people not to post the threat and only warn their loved ones through private messages.
This bomb threat has been denied and cleared by SM Supermalls on Sunday, stating that the police memorandum being spread in social media is fake.
“The information being re-circulated has been verified to be a hoax thru a joint investigation of our company and the local PNP in several areas. Moreover, the said information did not come from any SM officer,” SM Supermalls said in their statement.
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However, even though the document has been proven to be fake, the Philippine National Police assured that they are not taking the information for granted. The PNP assured that they are on full alert status to ensure the safety of the public.
“The public has nothing to fear, while we request the public to remain calm, we ask them to remain vigilant and observant. Please report anything they notice unusual to the nearest police station or to any policeman on sight so that we can act immediately & appropriately. Thank you,” said NCPRO director Oscar Abalye.
Moreover, the NCRPO urged netizens not to share the fake document in order to avoid unnecessary panic from the public.
Source: (news.abs-cbn.com, newsinfo.inquirer.net)
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