Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __506

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

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

Public safety and national security are concerns that must be upheld at all times,
especially in high-density or sensitive areas such as airports, schools, shopping malls, and
transportation terminals, among others. False reports, hoaxes, or so-called “bomb jokes”
involving explosives, bombs, or incendiary devices disrupt operations, cause unnecessary
panic, waste public resources, and endanger lives. Despite repeated wamings, such
irresponsible acts persist. .

In March 2025, two male passengers were arrested for making a bomb joke at the
Bohol-Panglao International Airport. This incident prompted immediate security measures.
including a thorough inspection of the aircraft and the passengers’ baggage.

Similarly, in August 2024, a senior citizen made a bomb joke while boarding a flight at
Tacloban Airport, leading to a flight delay, inconveniencing passengers, and consuming
valuable airport resources.


Furthermore, in February 2024, several government agencies, including the DENR,
received bomb threats that disrupted their operations. Although these threats were ultimately
determined to be hoaxes, they necessitated evacuations and emergency responses. These
diverted critical resources and caused public alarm.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for a stronger legal framework that would
penalize individuals who knowingly spread false information or make jokes about bombs and
explosives. Existing rules must be reinforced to address not only threats but also the deliberate

act of misinformation that results in panic and disruption.

tion of false threats or

‘This measure seeks to penalize the willful communi
misinformation about bombs, explosives, or other incendiary devices, especially when such
acts cause evacuations, serious disruption of activities, or public inconvenience and alarm.

In view of the foregoing, the approval of this measure is earnestly sought.

R&

CRISPIN DIEGO “PING” D. REMULLA


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Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

TWENTIETH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. 506

Introduced by Representative Crispin Diego “Ping” D. Remulla

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 the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "False Bomb Threat
Prohibition Act”.

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t 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 of Terms. — As used in this Act:

a) High density shall refer to areas which are regularly populated with people
including but not limited to 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 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.


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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
cither 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 Two million
pesos (P2,000,000.00) but not more than Seven million pesos (P7,000,000.00) or both.

SEC. 6. Separability Clause. — If any portion or provision of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, other parts of 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 Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its

publication in two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,