HOURS AFTER its operations were disrupted by a bomb scare, the UST Legazpi was declared safe by local authorities on Friday, March 28, upon determining the threat to be a hoax.
Law enforcement and emergency response teams found no suspicious items that should cause distress, the Bicol-based campus said in a Facebook post.
“The University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi was declared SAFE by the PNP (Philippine National Police) Explosives Ordnance Disposal (EOD). After a thorough sweeping of both campuses, the EOD found no evidence of dangerous materials that should cause alarm,” it said.
Classes and work were immediately suspended after some students found a handwritten letter detailing supposed schemes to bomb the campus.
Legazpi City Mayor Alfredo Garbin confirmed in an interview with DZGB that no explosive device was found. He also ordered a separate investigation to identify the person behind the threat.
“There was no bomb found. Apparently, this [was] a bomb joke,” Garbin said.
The PNP-Kasurog Bicol also warned the public against spreading hoax or false bomb threats, saying such an offense is a violation of Presidential Decree 1727, which imposes a penalty of five-year imprisonment or a fine of P40,000 or both.
“Such acts cause unnecessary panic, disrupt public order, and endanger lives. Violators will face legal consequences. We urge everyone to act responsibly and report any suspicious activities to authorities. Security is a shared responsibility—do not take it lightly!” the local station said in a Facebook post.
UST Legazpi urged the public to refrain from disseminating unverified information following its declaration of safety. An investigation into the individual responsible for the bomb threat is ongoing, it added.
“The safety and security of all individuals within our University remain our top priority. We are fully committed to maintaining a safe, supportive, and secure environment for everyone,” UST Legazpi said.
Classes and office operations will resume as scheduled on March 29, it said.
The Legazpi branch is part of the UST System, a group of private schools that belong to the Philippine Dominican Province of the Order of Preachers. F
