No explosives found after bomb threat at Silliman University

DUMAGUETE CITY — Police on Monday night (July 6) declared Silliman University free of explosives after completing a comprehensive search of areas identified in an online bomb threat that triggered heightened security on campus.

Capt. Stephen Polinar, spokesperson for the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO), said Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and K9 units finished clearing the five locations mentioned in the threat at around 10 p.m.

“Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and K9 units successfully completed a comprehensive and systematic sweep of all the identified locations. Security forces confirmed that no explosive devices or credible threats were present,” police said in a statement.

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READ: Silliman University campus evacuated following bomb threat

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Polinar said the threat was sent online and has been referred to the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group for investigation.

Authorities are coordinating with the cybercrime unit to trace the sender’s IP address and identify the person responsible for the bomb threat.

“The IP address of the sender will be traced in coordination with the PNP cybercrime unit in the hope of identifying the person behind the threat,” Polinar said in a mix of Cebuano and English.

The bomb threat was reportedly sent by an unidentified individual on Monday morning, although the university has yet to explain why police were notified only at around 6 p.m. that day.

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The Dumaguete City Police Office immediately responded after being alerted by university officials, deploying EOD and K9 teams from both the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to search the campus.

According to Polinar, the online message was received by one of the university’s administrative offices and specifically identified five locations where explosive devices had allegedly been planted.

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Police have not disclosed further details of the message as the investigation continues.

Meanwhile, Silliman University warned the public against misinformation after a fabricated memorandum announcing the suspension of classes circulated on social media.

In a statement posted on its official Facebook page, the university said the memorandum, purportedly signed by Dr. Arthur Pendleton, was fake and did not originate from the institution.

“We strongly urge the Silliman University community to rely only on the University’s official communication channels for verified announcements and updates. Information shared through unofficial sources may be inaccurate or misleading and can cause unnecessary confusion and alarm,” the university said.

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Although the five identified locations have been declared safe, police and military personnel continued security sweeps across the university’s sprawling 62-hectare campus as a precaution. /das