9 schools in Iloilo receive bomb threats in one day, suspend classes

Continuous bomb threats are being sent to various schools in Iloilo, with 9 schools receiving threats just today, Nov. 17 as of 4:00 p.m.

Suspension of work and classes for students, faculty, and staff was then announced by school authorities after receiving threats mostly through Facebook Messenger and comments.

For Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT) University Main Campus, they received bomb threats three times this month, with threats specifically stating “17 gifts” that were allegedly planted in building sites of the campus.

Each threat suspiciously specifies buildings or areas around the campus of a school where they allegedly “planted” the bombs, and similarly cites the “unfair” treatment that faculty and staff give to the “kids” of the senders.

“I have planted 9 timed bombs in the campus of lloilo National High School, 2 at the main building, 2 at the bl area, 2 at the tvl building, 1 at the quad, 1 at the sps building and last on the step building. Some are set to turn off this morning. This is due to the unfair treatment of the faculty and staff to the regular class students while they favor the special program students especially Ma’am [redacted],” a threat sent to Iloilo National High School from a Facebook account named “Nestor Villagracia” stated.

Schools that received threats today were Iloilo National High School, West Visayas State University Main, and Calinog campuses, ISAT, Hua Siong College of Iloilo, Guimbal National High School, Iloilo Merchant Marine School, Central Philippine University, and St. Therese MTC Colleges.

“I’ve planted 3 bombs in the WVSU Janiuay Campus earlier. One near the registrar building and the other is somewhere near the bandstand, GOODLUCK!” a threat message sent to WVSU Janiuay Campus from the Facebook account name “Loo Lily” stated.

3rd District of Iloilo Congressman Lorenz Defensor warned those responsible for the threats that they will be imprisoned, stating that it has disrupted classes in several public and private schools.

“Halong gid kamo kay ipadakup ta kamo,” Defensor stated. 

(Mag-ingat kayo kasi huhulihin ko kayo.)

Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas then announced that the city will offer a P100,000 reward to anyone who can reveal those responsible for the recent bomb threats.

“Today, many schools were disturbed by these threats. We are taking this very seriously. This is not just an issue affecting students’ learning, but also the safety and security of the entire city,” Mayor Treñas said.

The University of the Philippines High School in Iloilo, University of San Agustin, and WVSU Janiauy Campus also received threats on Oct. 2, Nov. 12, and Nov. 13, respectively.

Authorities are on high alert to catch the culprit behind the string of threats, as reports of schools receiving similar messages continue to increase.