An initial assessment of the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) in Western Visayas disclosed that the social media account of a student that sent a bomb threat to a school in Iloilo City is likely hacked.

The student’s name was reflected on comment tab of a post of Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U) on November 15, 2024.

According to Corporal Emirito Frutas, RACU 6 investigator, they focused tightly on the investigation because of the seriousness of the incident.

Bomb threat is considered a serious threat to national security, Frutas emphasized.

“Nag-focus po ang investigation natin dun sa claim ng bata na hindi talaga siya ang nag-post nito and allegedly na-hack lang po yung account niya. Upon initial assessment sa account nung bata with her consent, nakitaan natin ng mga remnants or mga tracing na possible hindi talaga siya or merong ibang gumamit ng account niya,” Frutas added.

However, Frutas clarified that until the investigation is over, the authorities could not establish yet the veracity of the student’s claim.

RACU 6 has coordinated with other sources to verify the location of the probable hacker and the identity.

“Ongoing pa rin kasi. Ang susunod naming step diyan is to coordinate with Meta which is the administrator of Facebook para makakuha pa ng additional information,” Frutas further said.

As soon as classes resumed to normalcy, the school administration filed a case against the suspect for violation of Presidential Decree 1727 or “Unlawful Dissemination of False Information of the Willful Making of any Threat Concerning Bombs, Explosives, or any Similar Device or Means of Destruction” and the Anti-Bomb Joke Law.

DISRUPTION OF IN-PERSON CLASSES

To recall, face-to-face classes at ISAT U main campus in Iloilo City were disrupted temporarily morning on November 15, 2024, after the school received a threat on alleged six bombs placed in the campus.

The threat sent through the school’s official social media page mentioned of three bombs at the main site while the other three in the old site.

A team from the Explosives and Ordnance Division [EOD] of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Army responded to conduct paneling in the area.

All classrooms, offices, and other areas in the campus wereinspected.

“Lahat ng students at lahat ng activities na-stop. Pinalabas namin ang lahat ng students for safety purposes,” said Adrian Pillano, a member of the faculty.

The comment mentioned of alleged unfair practices in the screening and acceptance of students. It cited that "deserving" students could not get into the enrollment roster because of alleged “backers” (a colloquial term to mean the value system where one gains favor through affiliation or friendship, as opposed to one's merit).

In a post of a woman who claimed to be a friend of the owner of the social media account used in the sending of the bomb threat, she said that the account was hacked and that it was the hacker who sent the message.

The friend called on the public to be considerate and to stop judgment upon the account owner, citing that her friend is also a victim.

“Nag-reach out siya at humingi ng apology. Sinabi niya na na-hack ang kanyang account, but of course, depende yan sa result ng investigation because we already reached out sa cybercrime [unit]. Ina-appeal ko lang sa general public, huwag na nating dagdagan ng speculations at mga haka-haka; paniwalaan [natin] ang official statement from the university,” Dr. Gabriel Salistre, president of ISAT U, said.

In an official statement, ISAT U said that in response, they immediately suspended all face-to-face classes, onsite operations, and activities to prioritize the safety of all students, faculty, and staff.

“With the coordinated efforts of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team of the Philippine National Police and Philippine Army, Iloilo City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CRRMO), and ISAT U selected personnel, the campus was thoroughly inspected, and by 11:30 a.m. on the same day, it was cleared with no danger found,” the statement posted on ISAT University-Public Information Office page reads.

No bomb was found in the campus after the EOD inspection, the authorities said.