The Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region has intensified its coordination with cybercrime units and ICT experts after two state university campuses in Negros Occidental received bomb threats on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 19 and 20.
The first threat was reported at 12:59 p.m. on Wednesday at the Western Visayas State University–Himamaylan Campus. Police said the bomb threat was made through a Facebook message that cited “unfair treatment of faculty and staff to students.”
Authorities later identified the owner of the account used to post the threat, but she claimed it was hacked.
A second bomb threat also through Facebook messenger was reported at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday at Central Philippines State University in Kabankalan City.
Explosive Ordnance Disposal and K9 teams were deployed to both campuses, and paneling results were negative.
A CPSU statement on Thursday said no bombs were found after a thorough search of the campus by the Kabankalan police, the Bacolod City Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) K9 Unit, and the CPSU Security Office.
“The university’s Management Information System Office is currently conducting further investigations related to the incident. The university assures its stakeholders and the public of its unwavering commitment to ensuring safety and maintaining calm within the community,” it added.
PRO-NIR Regional Director Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay directed police chiefs in Himamaylan and Kabankalan to coordinate closely with the Anti-Cybercrime Group to trace the digital source of the messages.
Ibay said PRO-NIR has activated enhanced cyber-monitoring, digital forensics, and technical investigation protocols to ensure that online and electronic bomb threats are validated and addressed quickly.
“Our priority is public safety. We are working closely with our cybercrime investigators and ICT specialists to identify the sources of these threats and ensure that perpetrators are held accountable,” Ibay said.
He reminded the public to remain calm but vigilant, stressing that false bomb threats disrupt peace and carry serious legal consequences.
PRO-NIR said it continues to strengthen digital monitoring and community awareness efforts and will maintain close coordination with ICT experts, law enforcement agencies, and local governments to safeguard communities across the region.*