By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan and Jennifer P. Rendon
An unverified bomb threat posted in the comments section of the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) Facebook page prompted the suspension of face-to-face classes and on-site work at its main campus in La Paz, Iloilo City, on Friday, November 15.
The university’s public information office announced the suspension at 8:19 a.m., citing security concerns. This followed the reporting of the bomb threat to local police at approximately 7:45 a.m., as detailed in a police spot report.
“For security reasons, all activities today are hereby suspended, and all classes will be shifted online at [the] Iloilo City campus. All faculty and non-teaching personnel are authorized to work from home,” read the university’s Facebook post.
Major Tranquilino Querubin Jr., chief of Iloilo City Police Station 2, said many students and faculty members were already on campus when the threat was reported. The university’s Environmental and Disaster Mitigation Management Office alerted police after receiving a screenshot of the threat from a group chat.
The comment, allegedly posted by a Facebook user named Grazel Marie Jumayao, claimed that six bombs were planted on the campus, specifying detonation times and locations. The user alleged the act was in protest against perceived irregularities in ISAT-U admissions.
The comment read:
“This is to inform you that there are 6 bombs planted on some spots sa [ISAT-U] 3 sa main site and 3 sa old site. I suggest you find all 6 bombs, someone scattered them all around the school. The reason for this is because some people who deserve a spot on the school don’t get the chance because of students who rely on backers. The bombs have different timers. [S]ome will go off this morning and some will go off in the afternoon. Good luck.”
Police and security teams, including the Regional Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit (RECU 6), Iloilo City Police Office’s CECU, and the Philippine Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, conducted thorough inspections of the campus. At 11:30 a.m., authorities declared the campus clear of hazardous materials.
ISAT-U President Gabriel Salistre Jr. confirmed that classes remained online for the day, while non-teaching staff continued working remotely.
Jumayao, whose account posted the bomb threat, later apologized, claiming her Facebook account had been hacked. “My account got hacked earlier, I am not the one who posted the comment,” she reportedly told Bombo Radyo Iloilo.
A Facebook user named Chios Je Galvan, identifying as Jumayao’s classmate, defended her, providing screenshots showing account activity from different locations. Galvan urged people to stop blaming Jumayao, stating that she was also a victim of the hacking incident.
Querubin said investigators are verifying Jumayao’s claims and continuing their investigation to determine the origin of the post.
ISAT-U issued a statement confirming the safety of the campus and assuring the public that authorities are investigating the incident. The university emphasized its commitment to holding the individuals responsible accountable.
President Salistre stressed the importance of taking the threat seriously, given it was posted on the university’s official page.
“We considered it seriously because it was made in the official Facebook [page] of the university, so we couldn’t just let it be, like some people were saying that it was only a joke. But what if it was true? That’s why we had to take it seriously,” Salistre said.
