A LOCAL business group is alarmed over the series of hoax bomb threats hitting schools and commercial establishments in Bacolod City as it will eventually erode the sector’s growth confidence.
Police records showed that five bomb threats have been reported in the city this year, all found to be hoaxes.
The latest was on Wednesday at the STI West Negros University on Burgos Street, which suspended its evening classes.
Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBBCI), said Friday, February 24, that such incident is a “worrisome development” on the part of the local business sector.
Carbon, also the regional governor of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Negros Island Region and Western Visayas, said the bomb threats have not yet sunk in to the consciousness of all sectors, but if it will continue for a considerable period, these will discourage businesses to thrive and expand.
“We hope that the police should take these incidents very seriously,” he said, adding that authorities should start briefing establishments on what to do when a threat is received.
MBBCI officials will meet next week to discuss preventive measures and regular coordination with the local police force.
Amid the series of bomb scares, the group is asking local businesses not to be threatened, and should not stop, or even slowdown, their operations as this is what the saboteurs want to happen.
Aside from STI West Negros University, other schools hit by bomb threats were Visayan Maritime Academy Global College in Sum-ag village on January 30, and Trinity Christian School in Villamonte village on February 14.
Business establishments, including SM City Bacolod, at the city’s reclamation area and Po’s Digital at the downtown also received the same threats in January and early this month, respectively.