UP gets bomb threat prior to exams

MANILA, Philippines - A bomb threat caused a stir at the University of the Philippines’ College of Business Administration (UP-CBA) a few hours before examinations scheduled yesterday.

However, it turned out to be a hoax, and school authorities pushed through with the exams.

The threat was received by Jett Padernal, student council chairperson of the UP-CBA at 7:50 a.m., said Inspector Noel Sublay, head of the Explosives and Ordnance Division of the Quezon City Police District.

Sublay said the text message sender warned the bomb would be in the Virata Building. The UP-CBA building has recently been renamed after former prime minister Cesar Virata.

It also stated: “Oras na lang ang binibilang. Walang ligtas estudyante man o guro (You only have hours. No student or teacher is safe).”

The text message came from the mobile phone number 09067677958.

Sublay said his team arrived just before 9 a.m. He said they did not find any explosive device and the building was declared safe about 40 minutes later.