MANILA — Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada is pushing for the modernization of the country’s bomb threat law to impose stiffer penalties and expand its coverage to include false threats made through digital platforms.

In response to the recent spate of hoax bomb threats across the country, Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 1076, or the proposed “False Bomb Threat Prohibition Act,” which seeks to amend the decades-old Presidential Decree No. 1727.

The measure proposes penalties of six to twelve years in prison, a fine ranging from ₱1 million to ₱5 million, or both, against individuals who deliberately spread false information about bombs, explosives, or incendiary devices in public places. Currently, PD 1727 imposes a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment or a ₱40,000 fine.

“The safety and security of the public are non-negotiable. These false threats are deliberate acts of disruption that endanger lives, paralyze institutions, and waste valuable government resources,” Estrada said. “They erode public trust in emergency systems that are supposed to respond to real crises. We need a stronger legal deterrent to protect our citizens from these unscrupulous individuals.”

Estrada cited a string of bomb hoaxes that disrupted schools and government offices in Bulacan, Bicol, Cebu, Caloocan City, and Manila. He noted that in Davao City, four schools were targeted within 48 hours, while a 21-year-old woman in Pampanga was charged for sending bomb threats online. Earlier this year, operations at the Office of the Vice President were also halted due to a similar incident.

The bill also aims to expand the law’s scope to include threats sent via social media, messaging apps, and other online platforms. It designates a lead implementing agency to enforce the measure and conduct public awareness campaigns.

“The rise of social media and digital communication platforms has made it easier for malicious individuals to spread panic with just a few clicks. It’s time we update our laws to keep up with these realities,” Estrada said.

“This is about restoring public trust and ensuring that our communities feel safe,” he added. “We must send a clear message: those who weaponize fear through false threats will be held accountable.”