Police Detains 2 Pranskters, Who Joked About Bombs Inside Mindanao Mall

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / September 19, 2008) – Philippine police arrested two people for cracking a joke about bombs at a mall in Tagum City in Mindanao Island, officials said Friday.

Officials said the two - Melanie Fuentes, 18, and Jenry Lopez, 36 – were detained on Wednesday. Mall security guards informed the police that the two told them they had bombs in their bags as they were being frisked at the entrance.

Shoppers who heard what the two told security about the bomb panicked. The two, who were arrested inside the New City Commercial Center, said they were just joking.

Police said no bombs were found from the two, but they would be charged with public scandal. (Romy Bwaga)

Freshman Arrested Over Joke In South RP

DAVAO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / June 25, 2008) – Philippine authorities arrested a college freshman after he joked that he had a bomb in his bag at a public square in Davao City.

Police said the 16-year old student of the Holy Cross of Davao College is being detained after park security nabbed him Tuesday. The teenager boasted that he was carrying a bomb while security was frisking him at the park entrance.

No bomb or explosive was found in the bag and the student said he was only joking, but park security arrested him and called the police.

It was not immediately known whether the police would file charges against the teenager whose parents were told about their son’s arrest. (Romy Bwaga)