Iloilo university suspends in-person classes after bomb scare

Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) (Facebook photo)

ILOILO CITY – A comment detailing a bomb threat on a Facebook page of an Iloilo City university led to the suspension of its in-person classes on Friday, Nov. 15.

The Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) announced that classes and work were being suspended in its La Paz, Iloilo City campus.

“For security reasons, all activities today are hereby suspended. 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 ISAT-U’s public information page posted at 8:19 a.m. on Friday.

READ: 3 bomb threats in 3 days prompt class suspensions in 2 Iloilo universities

The university announced that they have been cleared by the local Explosives and Ordinances Division of the Philippine National Police (PNP-EOD) as of 11:30 a.m., but online classes and work-from-home arrangements were continued throughout the day.

ISAT-U President Gabriel Salistre Jr. assured the public that the campus remained safe and that they should refrain from believing unverified information on social media.

“The university is working closely with the PNP-EOD that have been roaming [the campus], so whatever statement that they see on Facebook, please don’t believe that, for that will only add fear to the community. What is important is that our students and faculty and staff have been sent home and are safe,” Salistre said.

“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 had to take it seriously,” he added.

This was after a comment made by a certain Grazel Marie Jumayao on the public information page, also on Friday, detailing where the bombs were allegedly placed. It also pointed to the school’s admissions process as the reason for the bombs.

The Iloilo City Police Office’s report detailed that the alleged bomb threat was reported to them by a member of the ISAT-U staff at around 7:45 a.m.

Jumayao’s profile was locked as of this writing but indicated that she was studying at the University of San Agustin and previously at the Western Institute of Technology, both also in Iloilo City.

“This is to inform you that there are six bombs planted on some spots at ISAT. Three at the main site and three at the old site. I suggest you find all six bombs, someone scattered them all around the school the reason for this is because some people who deserve a spot on the school doesn’t get the chance because of students who rely on backers. the bombs have different timers. some will go off this morning and some will go off in the afternoon good luck,” the now-deleted comment read.

Bombo Radyo Iloilo reported that Jumayao had apologized and stated that she did not know of the comment because her account had been hacked.

A certain Chios Je Galvan, who introduced herself to be Jumayao’s classmate, also took to the platform to prove the hacking of the account.

“Her account was unfortunately hacked, and the posts were made without her knowledge or consent. She has since secured her account and is fully cooperating to address this issue. We apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and we would appreciate your understanding as we try to resolve this matter,” Galvan said.

“We would also ask if you could please stop messaging and blaming her, and creating groupchats that aims to personally attack her as she is also a victim,” Galvan added.