4 v
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
. ‘r 'r’t
)
S E N A T E
s. No. 950
nt  ii)'
*19 AUG 20 P4 26
RECtIVcD BY-
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PENALIZING THE DISSEMINATION OF FALSE INFORMATION AS TO THE 
PRESENCE OF BOMBS, EXPLOSIVES AND OTHER INCENDIARY DEVICES IN 
HIGH DENSITY OR SENSITIVE PLACES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR
Explanatory Note
Recently, several bomb scares have threatened various places around the 
country, demonstrating the need to address the growing concern on bomb threats. 
Every false bomb threat which causes unnecessary alarm in an area leads to 
unnecessary anxiety for the people, disruption of regular activities, losses in 
productivity and wastage of law enforcement emergency response resources.
Last 30 January 2019 a message circulating on social media regarding an 
alleged plot from the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) to bomb a chain of malls in the 
metropolis is a hoax. It is a replay of a similar hoax meant to sow alarm and panic 
among the citizens in Metro Manila, and done by people who are clearly enemies of 
the state or by irresponsible pranksters.1
Furthermore business operations of the Social Security System (SSS) on 
Lacson St. in Bacolod City were temporarily suspended after receiving a bomb threat 
from an unidentified person Tuesday morning, 2 April 2019. An SSS employee
1 https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060517


received a text message from an unknown sender informing her that a bomb was 
inside the building and it may explode anytime.2
Presidential Decree No. 1727 on "Declaring as Unlawful the Malicious 
Dissemination of False Information of the Willful Making of any Threat Concerning 
Bombs, Explosives or any Similar Device or Means of Destruction and Imposing 
Penalties Therefor" was issued in October 1980. It states that any person who 
communicates, willfully makes any threat or maliciously conveys false information of 
an attempt to damage or destroy any property by means of explosives, incendiary 
devices and other destructive forces of similar nature, shall be punished with 
imprisonment of not more than five years or a fine of not more than forty thousand 
pesos (Php 40,000.00) or both at the discretion of the court.3
This bill seeks to repeal and supersede P.D. 1727 and to impose stiffer 
penalties when the above acts is done in high population density and sensitive 
areas, in the objective of curbing incidences of false reports which resulting to losses 
in productivity and resources.
In view of the foregoing, swift passage of this measure is sought.
^ https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1799848/Bacolod/Local-News/Bomb-threat-halts-SSS-operations
http://www.chanrobIes.com/presidentialdecrees/presidentiaIdecreeno 1727.htmI/^.V5BBP7h96M9


n \
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
S E N A T E
s. No. 9 5 0
of ilK- fi»rcifl<.ijp
*19 AUG 20 P4 26
-RtCtiVlJ
Introduced by Senator Grace Poe
AN ACT
PENALIZING THE DISSEMINATION OF FALSE INFORMATION AS TO THE 
PRESENCE OF BOMBS, EXPLOSIVES AND OTHER INCENDIARY DEVICES IN 
HIGH DENSITY OR SENSITIVE PLACES AND PROVIDING PENALTIES 
THEREFOR
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines 
in Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "False Bomb Threat 
Prohibition Act"
Sec 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  It is hereby declared the policy of the State to 
undertake all measures to protect all persons, especially its citizens, from being 
subject to injurious effects of false information and threats on bombs and explosives, 
in the objective of upholding their security and safety, especially in high density and 
sensitive places where the risks are higher.
Sec 3. Definition o f Terms. - As used in this Act:
a) "high density" shall refer to areas which are regularly populated with 
people including but not limited t public spaces like national roads, public 
parks, airports, seaports, hotels and malls, or where people are gathered 
for an event.
b) "Sensitive areas" shall refer to those which are subject to those which are 
subject to high risks upon violation of this act because of the magnitude of
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resulting possible losses in productivity, resources, and religious value 
notwithstanding the number of people present therein, including but not
limited to educational institutions, offices, government institutions, and 
churches.
Sec 4. Prohibition. -  No person shall willfully communicate or cause to be 
communicated, either directly or indirectly, orally, in writing, by mail, by use of a 
telephone or telecommunication device including, but not limited to, cellular through 
an electronic mail, internet communication device or by any means, a threat or 
information involving a bomb, explosive or other incendiary device, when such threat 
is in fact not present, thereby causing either the evacuation or serious disruption of 
a school, school related event, school transportation, or a dwelling disruption of a 
school, school related event, school transportation, or a dwelling, building place of 
assembly, facility or public transport, or an aircraft, ship or common carrier, or 
willfully communicates or causes serious public inconvenience or alarm.
Sec 5. Penalties. -  Any person found guilty of violating this Act or any rules 
and regulations issued pursuant hereto shall, upon conviction, be punished by 
imprisonment of not less than six (6) years but not more than twelve (12) years or
fine of not less than One Million Pesos (P1,000,000.00) but not more than Five 
Million Pesos (P5,000,000.00) or both.
Sec 6. Separability Clause. -  If any part or provision of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, other parts or provisions thereof which are not affected thereby 
shall continue to be in full force and effect.
Sec 7. Repealing Clause. -  All laws, decrees, executive orders and issuances 
and rules and regulations which are inconsistent with the provisions of this act are 
hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec 8. Effectivity. -  This act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two (2) national newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,