THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas did not halt any operations despite receiving a second bomb threat from a suspicious account on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
In a Facebook advisory, UST said law enforcers and campus security personnel had completed their assessment and declared the campus safe for occupancy. The University said its decision against evacuation followed the recommendation of authorities.
“Upon recommendation from law enforcers, no evacuation order was issued,” the advisory read.
The incident came four days after bomb threats were discovered inside the female restrooms of San Martin de Porres Building prompted a campus evacuation and a shift to online classes the following day.
READ: Bomb threats in Medicine Building force UST to evacuate students, personnel
An account using the name “TIGER TTIGER”, reportedly sent the latest threat through Facebook Messenger at around 6 a.m. The sender claimed to have overheard a conversation the previous morning at the central library about a plan to detonate bombs at the San Martin de Porres Building, Main Building and St. Raymund de Peñafort Building on Oct. 27.
The message also mentioned a possible shooting and urged its recipients to take the claim seriously.
According to a Manila Police District report, the Central Student Council and Central Commission on Elections also received a message from the same account at around 7 to 7:45 a.m., just before the account was deactivated.
College of Rehabilitation Sciences acting dean Donald Manlapaz and UST detachment commander Joseph Badinas y Bañadera alerted law enforcement about the threat.
UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., previously told The Flame that the University is reviewing security protocols and will pursue a thorough investigation of the recent bomb threats.
READ: UST vows vigorous probe into bomb threat, review of security measures
Personnel from the Manila Police District’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit responded to secure the area. Members of the district’s Anti-Cybercrime Team, led by Police Lt. Maria Yu and Police Cpl. Evan Atad, also arrived to investigate the online threat. F – A.N.R.
