MPD probes cyber-based bomb threat at DLSU
University leadership suspended all afternoon classes and ordered students, faculty, and administrative staff to clear the premises shortly after the threat was reported.
THE Manila Police District confirms that De La Salle University in Manila received a bomb threat via email on Monday, which prompted the evacuation of students, faculty members and school personnel. No bomb has been found so far as police conduct a threat assessment and bomb sweep of the campus.
Photograph courtesy of NBI
Police and university officials evacuated the main campus of De La Salle University (DLSU) along Taft Avenue in Malate on Monday afternoon following a bomb threat sent via email to faculty members.
University leadership suspended all afternoon classes and ordered students, faculty, and administrative staff to clear the premises shortly after the threat was reported.
According to an incident report reaching Camp Crame, the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 9 in Malate received notification from DLSU director security office official Jose Billy Aguirre and security assistant director Colin Papa at approximately 12:40 p.m.
Security personnel reported that Philip Rentillo, associate dean of the Brother Andrew Gonzalez FSC College of Education, received an email from the address traknisky@photo.com containing an undisclosed bomb threat, which was then circulated to other faculty members in the department.
Malate Police Station Commander Police Lt. Col. Norman Patnaan dispatched duty investigator Police Master Sgt. Jose Asaytuno Jr. to conduct a preliminary assessment, while a mobile unit established a security perimeter at DLSU Gate 1.
At 1 p.m., DLSU senior vice president Kai Shan Fernandez formally requested all campus occupants to vacate the university grounds as a precautionary measure.
Patnaan coordinated with the MPD Anti-Cybercrime Team to trace the origin of the email.
Personnel from the MPD Explosive Ordnance Disposal and K9 unit, led by Police Staff Sgt. Ma. Thelma Elgera and Police Cpl. Christopher Diamzon, arrived at approximately 2 p.m. to conduct a preventive bomb sweep and paneling of university buildings. Inspection operations were ongoing as of Monday afternoon.