‘MANIC MONDAY’: Bomb threats disrupt classes in Iloilo schools

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

What was supposed to be the start of the week for students in at least ten educational institutions across Metro Iloilo turned chaotic after a wave of bomb threats forced class suspensions and police inspections on Nov. 17.

The earliest threat was sent Monday morning to RMN Iloilo’s Facebook page via Messenger by someone identifying himself as “Nestor Villagracia,” who listed the number and locations of alleged explosives planted at Iloilo National High School.

The same account also commented on a post by West Visayas State University’s TeatroTayo organization, identifying several buildings within the WVSU main campus in La Paz, which sits across INHS.

In both messages, the sender alleged “unfair treatment” by faculty members and claimed that INHS’ special program students were being favored over regular students. The screenshots circulated online censored the name of a faculty member mentioned in the threats.

WVSU said similar threats were received by its campuses in Janiuay and Calinog.

Screenshots obtained by news organizations showed another account under the name “Miles Stone,” which, like the “Villagracia” account, detailed alleged bomb locations.

Classes were suspended at INHS and across WVSU’s three affected campuses.

WVSU’s official Facebook page also urged the public to refrain from issuing bomb threats, emphasizing that these are punishable acts under Presidential Decree 1727.

“The community is reminded that under Presidential Decree No. 1727 (Anti–Bomb Joke Law), making false bomb threats, spreading hoax information, or issuing bomb-related remarks is a criminal offense punishable by fines and imprisonment,” the university said.

“WVSU strongly condemns these threats and will take appropriate legal and administrative action against anyone found responsible,” it added.

As the threats at INHS and WVSU unfolded, another was reported at Iloilo Science and Technology University’s main campus in La Paz — days after the university received a similar threat.

This marks the fourth bomb threat against ISAT-U in two years, including one received in November last year.

Hua Siong College of Iloilo’s main campus in downtown Iloilo City also cancelled classes mid-morning after receiving a threat.

More threats followed throughout the afternoon, this time targeting Central Philippine University in Iloilo City, Guimbal National High School in Guimbal, and the Iloilo Merchant Marine School in Pavia.

The latest came from St. Therese–MTC Colleges, which suspended classes in its La Fiesta and Magdalo sites after receiving a bomb threat in the area.