Responders swooped in on an uptown mall in Cebu City after a bomb threat forced an evacuation of shoppers and employees.

Councilor Winston Pepito, Chairman of the Transportation Committee, said he abstained from the Cebu City Council's vote rejecting the South Road Properties (SRP) component of the proposed Cebu South Coastal Road project. The vote was met with a mix of emotions, with some members expressing concerns about the project's impact on residents and businesses.

The SRP is a key component of the Cebu South Coastal Road project, which has been touted as a major infrastructure development for the region. However, critics argue that the project will displace residents and small businesses, exacerbating existing social and economic inequalities.

Transportation Committee Chairman Councilor Winston Pepito said he abstained from the vote due to concerns about the project's potential impact on residents and businesses. 'The councilor said, I'm not saying it's a good or bad project, but I have to consider the people who will be affected by it.' Pepito added that he would have liked to have more information about the project's benefits and risks before making a decision.

The bomb threat was made on the same day that the Cebu City Council voted on the SRP component of the Cebu South Coastal Road project. The threat was reportedly made by an unknown individual who claimed to have planted a bomb in the mall.

Responders were quick to respond to the threat, evacuating the mall and conducting a thorough search. The situation was deemed safe after several hours of clearing the building.

The Cebu City Council's vote on the SRP component was met with strong emotions, with some members expressing concerns about the project's impact on residents and businesses. Councilor Pepito's abstention from the vote has raised eyebrows, with some speculating about his motivations.

In related news, Cebu's rising chess star Apple Rubin finished seventh overall in the highly competitive 2026 FIDE World Chess Championship. The 20-year-old Rubin is the youngest member of the Philippine Chess Team and has been touted as a rising star in the world of chess.

Cebu's Pride March, held earlier this month, encouraged adoption and alternative forms of child care from eligible members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) community. The event drew thousands of participants and attendees, with many expressing support for the LGBTQ+ community.

### Key Facts

  • Responders foiled a bomb threat at an uptown mall in Cebu City
  • Councilor Winston Pepito abstained from the Cebu City Council's vote rejecting the South Road Properties component of the Cebu South Coastal Road project
  • The Cebu City Council voted on the SRP component on the same day as the bomb threat
  • Apple Rubin finished seventh overall in the 2026 FIDE World Chess Championship
  • Cebu's Pride March encouraged adoption and alternative forms of child care from eligible members of the LGBTQ+ community