Hundreds of employees and visitors were forced to evacuate the Quezon City Hall of Justice on Friday morning after a bomb threat was sent to court personnel.

Authorities cleared the building for reentry at 11:05 a.m. after the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Explosive Ordnance Disposal team and K9 units swept the premises and found no hazardous materials or explosives.

According to QCPD investigators, a clerk at Regional Trial Court Branch 227 discovered a message at approximately 8:48 a.m. stating that a bomb was inside the building. While the message was reportedly sent on Thursday, personnel said they only became aware of it Friday morning.

Executive Justice Rosanna Fe Maglaya ordered an immediate evacuation of the structure to allow police to conduct “paneling” procedures. Among those displaced was Atty. Ferdinand Topacio, who confirmed that he and his clients were required to leave the premises during the search.

Police Lt. Col. Zachary Capellan, commander of QCPD Station 10, declared the area clear just after 11 a.m. While court employees were permitted to return to their offices to resume operations, guests remained restricted from entering the building immediately following the sweep.

The city’s Anti-Cybercrime Team has launched an investigation to trace the unidentified sender of the message.

“The QCPD remains fully prepared to respond to any threat to public safety,” the district said in a statement. “We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, be calm, and immediately report any suspicious activities.”

The Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety, led by retired Gen. Elmo San Diego, assisted in the coordination of the evacuation and perimeter monitoring.