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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider PRO-NIR steps up cyber monitoring following bomb threats

PRO-NIR steps up cyber monitoring following bomb threats

Published Nov 20, 2025 05:44 pm
BOMB threats rocked two schools in Himamaylan City and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday night, Nov. 19. (Himamaylan City Police Station)
BOMB threats rocked two schools in Himamaylan City and Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday night, Nov. 19. (Himamaylan City Police Station)
BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has stepped up coordination with  Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) experts for real-time monitoring, rapid tracing of digital threats, and analysis of digital footprints, metadata, and communication patterns, after two schools in Negros Occidental reported bomb threats on Wednesday night.
Police Brig. Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, PRO-NIR director, ordered enhanced cyber-monitoring, digital forensics support, and technical investigation to help authorities quickly trace, validate, and respond to threats transmitted online, through mobile messaging, or via anonymous digital platforms.
The threats targeted West Visayas State University (WVSU)-Himamaylan City campus and Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City. 
Ibay stressed that public safety remains their priority as they work with cybercrime investigators and ICT specialists to identify those responsible.
Police Lt. Col. Anthony Grande, Himamaylan police chief, said that the threat to WVSU was sent via Facebook Messenger to the school publication’s page around 9:45 p.m.
The message claimed bombs were planted in the Education and Hospitality Management buildings allegedly due to faculty and staff mistreatment of students.
Police called in the Provincial Explosive Ordnance Disposal and K9 Unit for inspection and the campus was later cleared.
The student linked to the sender’s account told investigators her profile photo was stolen and used to impersonate her. She initially claimed hacking and later “identity theft.”
Grande said they are verifying if the account was cloned and that the student is cooperating. Classes at WVSU resumed the next day.
Police Lt. Col. Roberto Indiape Jr., Kabankalan City police chief, confirmed that CPSU personnel received the same message, and after a thorough search, the school was declared safe.
He said investigators have a lead and suspect the same individual might be behind both threats.
These incidents followed a surge of bomb threats in Iloilo.
In response, the PRO-NIR has intensified their Intelligence sharing with local government units (LGUs) and ICT stakeholders.
They are ramping up community awareness to encourage quick reporting while preventing unnecessary panic.
“We call on the public to remain calm, vigilant, and cooperative,” Ibay said, warning that perpetrators of false bomb threats will be relentlessly pursued.
He emphasized that all reported threats are treated seriously and that security protocols remain firmly in place across the region.

Related Tags

Bomb threat Negros Occidental PRO-NIR Himamaylan City Kabankalan City
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