Afternoon classes and office operations at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) were suspended on Thursday, July 16, after a bullet and a handwritten note were found inside the campus.
The university said it suspended classes and work as a precaution while it investigates the incident in coordination with authorities.
Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) Director Col. Eugene Rebadomia clarified that the incident did not involve a bomb threat.
Students discovered the bullet and a handwritten note on a stairway inside the university’s Senior High School building at around 10 a.m., Rebadomia said.
The note allegedly contained a threatening message related to retaliation against bullies.
The students immediately reported the discovery to the duty security guard, who turned over the recovered items to the university’s Security and Safety Adviser.
The adviser later surrendered the bullet and handwritten note to responding personnel of Police Station 6 for documentation and investigation.
Police Station 6 immediately conducted an ocular inspection, secured the area, and coordinated with the university administration.
The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit was also requested to examine the recovered bullet and accompanying note.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya assured the public that the situation is under control, saying the city government immediately coordinated with the police to secure the campus and conduct a thorough investigation.
Gasataya also clarified that there was no bomb threat and no shooting incident at the university, urging the public to rely only on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports that could cause unnecessary panic.
Rebadomia said police are still determining who left the bullet and handwritten note, adding that there are no CCTV cameras yet in the newly constructed building where the items were discovered.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said authorities are investigating the origin, circumstances, and intent behind the recovered items, while the content of the handwritten note is also undergoing evaluation.
PRO-NIR Regional Director BGen. Romano Cardiño commended the students and school personnel for immediately reporting the incident instead of ignoring it.
Cardiño said their prompt action allowed police to respond quickly and implement necessary safety measures while the investigation continues.
Police assured the public that there is no confirmed threat beyond the isolated discovery of the recovered items but said security measures remain in place as authorities continue their investigation.*
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