BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has ensured the safety of students, teachers, and personnel of University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) following a bomb and shooting scare inside the campus at noon on Thursday.

In a statement, Mayor Greg Gasataya said BCPO Director Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia assured him the situation was under control after policemen responded to the supposed security threat.

“To dispel circulating rumors and prevent unnecessary panic, we state categorically that there was no bomb threat and no shooting incident occurred,” he said. "We remain in constant coordination with the BCPO to ensure the safety and security of the university community.”

Investigation showed students found a live ammunition placed on a written note inside the Senior High School Building of UNO-R, one of the largest private educational institutions in the city.

They reported the incident to the security guard and the recovered ammunition and written note were turned over to the university’s security and safety adviser, who then surrendered the items to the responding personnel of Police Station 6.

Written on the note was a threat that the sender would kill bullies.

In a report, the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) said students were advised to go home as a precautionary measure while authorities assessed the situation.

An Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit examined the recovered ammunition and the accompanying written note.

Investigators continue to determine the origin, circumstances, and intent behind the recovered items.

“The PRO-NIR assures the public that there is no confirmed threat at this time beyond the isolated discovery of the recovered items,” it said.

PRO-NIR Director Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño commended students and school personnel of UNO-R for promptly reporting the incident.

“We commend the students and the school authorities for immediately reporting the discovery instead of ignoring it. Their quick action allowed the police to respond promptly and implement the necessary safety measures. We assure the public that a thorough investigation is underway,” he added.

Cardiño encouraged Bacolodnons to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information regarding the incident.

“Continue reporting any suspicious object or activity to the nearest police station or through SAFE NIR Dial 911,” he said.