Afternoon classes at the City of Malabon University (CMU) were suspended on Monday, April 21, following a reported bomb threat that prompted swift action from school officials and local authorities.
Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval immediately ordered a full and thorough investigation into the incident, reassuring students and their families that their safety remains the city’s top priority.
"Priyoridad po natin ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral kaya po tayo ay tututok sa imbestigasyon ng insidenteng ito. Mariing natig kinokondena ang pagpapakalat ng ganitong impormasyon na nagbibigay ng takot sa ating mga mag-aaral sa mismong pamantasan (The safety and welfare of our students is our top priority, which is why we will closely monitor the investigation of this incident. We strongly condemn the spread of such information that instills fear among our students within the very walls of the university),” she said.
“Sa pagsasagawa ng imbestigasyon ng kinauukulan ay sisikapin naming alamin at panagutin kung sino man ang nasa likod nito (As the proper authorities conduct their investigation, we will do our utmost to identify and hold accountable whoever is behind this),” Sandoval added.
According to the CMU administration, classes were suspended at around 11 a.m. as a precautionary measure.
"This decision was not taken lightly. A thorough risk assessment, conducted in consultation with local law enforcement agencies, indicated that the threat warranted immediate action to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on campus,” CMU president Dr. Glen De Leon said.
He added that the class suspension allowed for a safe evacuation and provided space for law enforcement to carry out a detailed search and investigation.
CMU officials are now working closely with the Malabon City Police Station (MCPS) to identify the source of the threat.
"The investigation includes a comprehensive search of the campus, analysis of digital evidence. Our security personnel are also actively working to enhance security measures across campus," he said.
While the disruption caused by the suspension is unfortunate, he emphasized that safety must always come first.
“We will continue to provide regular updates on the situation through official university channels, including email, text alerts, and our website,” he added.
Sandoval also called on CMU students and city residents to remain calm and vigilant as the investigation continues.
"Nauunawaan ko ang kaba at takot na maaaring idulot ng ganitong insidente, ngunit nais kong ipabatid na ginagawa namin ang lahat upang mapanatili ang kaayusan at seguridad sa ating lungsod (I understand the anxiety and fear that such an incident may cause, but I want to assure everyone that we are doing everything we can to maintain peace and security in our city),” she said.
"Agad pong makipagugnayan sa amin kung mayroon naobserbahang kahinahinala sa inyong lugar. Magbibigay kami ng karagdagang impormasyon kung magkaroon man ng updates sa insidente. Maraming salamat sa inyong pang-unawa at tiwala (Please immediately reach out to us if you notice anything suspicious in your area. We will provide further updates should there be any developments regarding the incident. Thank you very much for your understanding and trust),” the mayor added.
Meanwhile, MCPS chief Col. Jay Baybayan confirmed that the threat was received via email by a CMU staff member, who promptly reported it to the authorities.
“There was a bomb threat received by a staff member of the City of Malabon University and reported to the police through email. However, after a thorough search by the Station Explosive and Canine Unit of Malabon CPS, no bomb or any explosive materials were found,” Baybayan said.
He added that the MCPS is now coordinating with the Northern Police District’s Anti-Cybercrime Team to trace the source of the email and identify the suspect.