By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Police have launched an investigation into an alleged online bomb threat warning of a possible bombing and shooting at several University of Santo Tomas (UST) buildings on Tuesday, October 27, prompting security personnel to conduct on-site inspection and threat assessment.
The Manila Police District (MPD) received the report after a representative of the Physical Therapist Society reportedly received a threatening message through Facebook Messenger at around 6 a.m. The message warned of an alleged plan to detonate a bomb at the university’s Medical Building, Main Building and St. Raymund Building on the same day.
The message also mentioned a possible shooting, claiming the alleged plan had not pushed through the previous Saturday. The sender’s claims remain unverified.
According to the initial police report, the same message was subsequently sent to the UST Central Student Council’s official Messenger account at around 7 a.m. and to the Central Commission on Elections account at approximately 7:40 a.m. The account, identified as “TIGER TTIGER,” was reportedly deactivated at around 7:45 a.m.
Police personnel from the UBA Police Community Precinct, led by PMAJ Reydel Closa, responded to the report. Investigators also gathered information at the Office of the Dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at the St. Martin de Forest Building inside the UST compound along España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila.
The MPD Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit, led by Police Lt. Maria Yu and three other personnel, conducted inspection operations. The Manila District Anti-Cybercrime Team, led by Police Cpl. Evan Atad, also responded to investigate the online threat and its possible source.
The initial information-gathering operation was completed at around 9 a.m., according to the police report.
The case remains under investigation pending the results of the bomb-threat inspection. Authorities have yet to establish the credibility of the threat or identify the person behind the messages.
ia/xf
