Canine units sent to sniff out bombs in Ateneo, traffic heavy

INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – Canine units were called in to sniff out bombs that may have been planted inside the Ateneo de Manila University campus in Quezon City, according to the school’s official publication on Twitter.

Quoting Ateneo President ‎Jett Villarin S.J., the Guidon said the administration would release an official statement at 5 p.m. Wednesday after classes and work were suspended earlier in the day following a reported bomb threat.

‎”No buildings deemed safe yet. Residential buildings prioritized. Admin will release official statement by 5 p.m.,” Villarin said.

Quezon City Police District personnel who have responded to the scene deployed canine units to sweep all Loyola School buildings.

As of posting time, the north and south towers of the Ateneo University dorm have been cleared of any explosive device.

“Grade ‎school students assembled in different areas per year level, waiting for fetchers. High school students allowed to leave campus with parental consent‎,” the campus paper tweeted.

As a result of the evacuation, heavy traffic is expected along Katipunan Avenue.

The bomb threats were relayed to three of Ateneo employees via text at around 9 a.m. Wednesday, said Sonia Araneta, University Communication and Public Relations Office director.

Quezon City Police District Anonas station commander Superintendent Richard Fiesta said that his unit initially received the report of a bomb threat at the campus at around 10 a.m.

“Three employees received a text message that bombs were allegedly set to go off in several places on the campus,” he told the Philippine Daily Inquirer, adding that the message came from one number.

The text messages said: “MAY MGA BOMBA NA SASABOG SA ATENEO. PANIGURADONG MADAMING ESTUDYANTE AT EMPLEYADO ANG MAMATAY. 30 MINUTO MULA NGAYON.” (Bombs will explode in Ateneo. Surely many students and employees will die. 30 minutes from now).

An AdMU security office source, who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak about the matter, said that the recipients were with the school’s Human Resources Management Office, which immediately relayed the information to the police.

RELATED STORIES

Ateneo suspends classes, work due to bomb scare