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CEBU CITY — The man who dared to offer P5 million to anyone who would bomb all offices of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) is now under arrest in Mandaue City.
Gian Carlo dela Cruz Maningo, 38, faces criminal charges after the National Bureau of Investigation in Central Visayas (NBI-7) caught him posting the bomb threat on his Facebook account on May 5.
Authorities arrested him on May 14 at his home in Casili Hills Subdivision.
In his Facebook post, Maningo promised a P5-million reward for bombing all Comelec offices. It attracted more than 100 engagements and was shared at least 120 times in the tense week before the May 12 elections.
NBI-7 regional director Rennan Augustus Oliva confirmed that the Facebook account "Gi Maningo" belonged to Maningo and said that the threat posed a serious public safety issue.
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When questioned, Maningo did not deny writing the post and showed no remorse, telling investigators he felt no regret.
He also said he wanted all Comelec offices shut down, explaining that he believed Comelec should have been closed long ago due to pending Supreme Court cases but continued to operate.
Maningo insisted he was sober but is angry at the Comelec.
NBI-7 said that the suspect showed resistance and rage when he was arrested. Investigators are still checking if he had accomplices.
The NBI charged Maningo for violating Presidential Decree 1727 for willful bomb threats and Section 9 of Republic Act 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act) for inciting terrorism, in connection with the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The Department of Justice referred the case to NBI Director Jaime Santiago, who immediately ordered a full investigation.
Comelec Central Visayas Director Francisco Pobe formally requested the probe after the threat surfaced.
Authorities confiscated the mobile phone Maningo used to post the threat. NBI is working to remove the posts from so-cial media.
Maningo is now detained at the NBI Central Visayas Regional Office as the Mandaue City Prosecutor's Office prepares cases to be filed against him.
