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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP raises alarm over series of hoax bomb threats on schools

PNP raises alarm over series of hoax bomb threats on schools

Published Nov 14, 2025 04:31 pm
Students, faculty, and staff evacuate the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila on Nov. 13, 2025 after the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) received an email containing a bomb threat on Calderon Hall and National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions building. Police were immediately deployed for verification but no explosive was found. (Photo courtesy of Manila Collegian)
Students, faculty, and staff evacuate the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila on Nov. 13, 2025 after the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs (OVCAA) received an email containing a bomb threat on Calderon Hall and National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions building. Police were immediately deployed for verification but no explosive was found. (Photo courtesy of Manila Collegian)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, Nov. 14, sounded the alarm over a string of hoax bomb threats targeting schools.
Police Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., acting PNP chief, said intelligence and cybercrime units have been mobilized to identify the brains behind the latest bomb threat that hit the University of the Philippines (UP) Manila on Thursday, Nov. 13, which forced the evacuation of students and faculty members.
“The Philippine National Police is leaving no stone unturned in identifying and pursuing those responsible for this malicious bomb threat,” Nartatez said.
“Spreading false information, especially those that create panic and threaten public safety, is a serious crime. We will hold the perpetrators accountable,” he added.
According to police reports that reached Camp Crame, students and faculty members of UP Manila evacuated after an anonymous bomb threat targeted Calderon Hall and the National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions.
The email included red-tagging allegations and the university’s coordinates.
The Manila Police District (MPD) was deployed to verify the threat but there was no bomb found within the premises of the university.
Meanwhile, UP Manila officials coordinated with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to assist in the investigation.
UPM Chancellor Dr. Michael Tee condemned the incident and vowed to work closely with authorities to file charges.
Nartatez said efforts are underway to trace the source of the messages. He stressed that individuals involved in hoax bomb threats will face legal consequences.
“Nagbababala rin tayo sa mga nagpapakalat ng hoax bomb threats na ito ay labag sa batas. Kayo ay maaaring mapanagot kung mapatunayang sangkot (We are also warning those spreading hoax bomb threats that this is against the law. You may be held accountable if proven to be involved),” he said.
He ordered all local police units to intensify security measures, including heightened visibility and immediate response protocols, to prevent further disruptions in academic institutions.
Last month, the PNP strengthened its collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and telecommunications companies to curb bomb threats.
This, after bomb threat hoaxes were reported at the Davao Wisdom Academy in Davao City on Oct. 22; at several campuses of the Bicol University on Oct. 8, and at Batangas University on Aug. 18.
Under Presidential Decree 1727 or the Anti-Bomb Joke Law, issuing false bomb threats is punishable by imprisonment of up to five years and a fine of up to P40,000.
The police leadership has also expressed support for a Senate proposal imposing stiffer penalties for hoax bomb threats, including those being spread online.

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bomb threat PNP Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. UP Manila
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