MANILA, Philippines — A reported bomb threat at National University–Mall of Asia (NU-MOA) in Pasay City prompted a security operation Thursday morning, September 3, forcing the university to temporarily shift classes online while authorities inspected the campus.
The incident began after an alleged threat was posted on the NU-MOA Facebook page late Wednesday night. According to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), a member of the university’s Safety Office received information about the post through Facebook Messenger.
The report was subsequently relayed to authorities, with police receiving the incident for verification at around 7:40 to 7:50 a.m. Thursday.
Pasay City police immediately responded, deploying personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal and K9 Unit, along with members of the Bureau of Fire Protection and the police investigation section.
The operation was conducted as a precaution while authorities determined whether the reported threat was credible and whether any dangerous material was present on campus.
NU-MOA shifts classes online
Amid the police operation, NU-MOA temporarily suspended face-to-face classes for the morning and shifted to remote synchronous learning.
The university indicated that onsite classes and examinations were expected to resume at 1 p.m., subject to the situation and security assessment.
GMA News reported that police confirmed the deployment of EOD-K9 personnel and BFP responders to the campus as authorities verified the reported threat.
Inquirer likewise reported that the Pasay EOD/K9 Unit, BFP-Pasay and police investigators were coordinated for the appropriate response and assessment.
Police find no explosives
After several hours of inspection, authorities determined that the campus was clear.
Pasay City Police Chief Col. Joselito de Sesto said authorities found no hazardous, explosive or suspected explosive materials inside the school.
The finding was also reported by GMA News, which said the area tested negative for hazardous or explosive materials following the inspection.
The incident therefore did not result in the discovery of an explosive device on campus, based on the police assessment available Thursday.
Investigation continues
Although the campus was cleared, police are continuing their investigation to determine who was behind the alleged threat.
Authorities are expected to examine the online post and the messages through which the warning was circulated as part of efforts to identify the person responsible.
DZRH reported that police intended to identify the person behind the threat for appropriate legal action.
The incident highlights the importance of treating threats involving schools seriously, even when an initial warning ultimately proves negative. Police and emergency personnel must verify such reports before declaring an area safe, particularly when students, faculty and school personnel could be at risk.
For now, the most significant development is clear: the NU-MOA campus was inspected and no explosive or hazardous material was found.
The investigation, however, remains ongoing as authorities work to determine who made or circulated the alleged threat.
WWC ONE MEDIA MJE
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