PRANK calls to SM-Baguio and Notre Dame Hospital practically made fun of the safety not only of its employees but shoppers and patients as well.

On Sunday evening, an employee of SM-Baguio received an anonymous call warning them of a bomb within the mall's premises.

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According to Viyo Hidalgo, information officer of the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), the call was first made around 8:50 p.m. The SM management immediately alerted the police.

A team from Precinct 7 and the Ordnance and Explosives Division of the BCPO searched the area and found not a bomb but rolled pieces of paper kept inside an empty canister of Pringles. It was left at the customer service area.

The male caller, according to Hidalgo is a disgruntled employee out to extort from the management. He did not elaborate, pending further investigation.

In a series of calls, the caller demanded as high as P1.5 million, so he will not detonate the bomb supposedly left inside the mall. The lowest demand the caller made was P375,000, according to SM press relations officer Karren Padilla.

Police, meanwhile, were quick to dismiss the call as a mere prank, rather than a terrorist threat.

Hidalgo said the caller lacked the sophistication and skill to stage an attack.

The threat resulted to SM's decision to delay opening the mall to shoppers until about 12 p.m. when the police declared the premises clear of any explosives.

The mall normally opens at 10 a.m.

Employees of SM and the mall's tenants were the first ones to enter the mall around 11:40 a.m. Sunday.

Around 8 a.m. Monday, three persons almost simultaneously received a texted message that another bomb is allegedly being planted in the Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital along Lower Gen. Luna Road.

According to Soriano, the messages were received by Sr. Adelina Javellana, Dr. Ronald Paraan and Dr. Edwin Cosalan from cellular phone number (0915)232-7514.

However, no bomb was found there after EOD unit personnel with K-9 dogs and a responding team from BCPO Station 7 scoured the medical facility.

After the paneling operation and a subsequent inspection were conducted throughout the hospital, the facility was declared safe around 12 p.m. Monday.

Soriano said they are still conducting a follow-up investigation on both bomb threats.

Out of Baguio's many parks, department stores, shops, and public market, SM happens to be the most frequented, it being a convergence point of people.

Police and officials said residents and tourists have nothing to worry about. With the Panagbenga less than a month away, the security measures are all in place.

For the SM-Baguio management, Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. and Vice Mayor Daniel Fariñas said this should be a lesson for all business establishments to improve the mode of securing their buildings and shoppers.

Fariñas said caller IDs, if it does not violate privacy, should be used extensively, including an alarm system among establishments.

He also warned under the law that callers who cause public disturbance may be charged.

Councilor Nicasio Aliping Jr. chairman of the City Council committee on justice, public protection and safety, echoed the same statements. He said business establishments should check all shoppers, including their vehicles, adding that people should refrain from creating chaos.