ILOILO City – Amid the escalating bomb threats here, police have identified a minor as the source of the false alarm that forced the suspension of classes at Fort San Pedro National High School — raising concerns about how easily the ongoing wave of threats is being copied, recycled, and spread across campuses.
Police Captain Melchor Tolentino, commander of Iloilo City Police Station 1, confirmed that the student is now in the custody of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) after investigators traced the message that circulated among students and teachers of Fort San Pedro National High School.
Classes were abruptly suspended on November 19 as authorities secured the campus and conducted sweeping inspections. No explosive was found.
According to Tolentino, the bomb scare did not originate from an external threat but from a student who “allegedly copied an earlier bomb threat sent to a different Iloilo school, changed several details to make it appear directed at Fort San Pedro National High School, and forwarded it to a classmate.”
“That classmate took a screenshot and shared it to a group chat. From there, it reached a teacher, and someone from the school reported it to us,” he said.
The minor reportedly admitted that the act was done “out of boredom,” Tolentino added — a revelation that alarmed investigators, who are still determining whether the student has any link to the broader string of threats destabilizing schools across the city.
TREÑAS: ‘INDI NATON PAGPALAMPASON’
Iloilo City’s Mayor Raisa Treñas condemned the incident and stressed that such actions will be met with full legal consequences.
“Nakilala na kag yara na subong sa kustodiya sang ICPO ang responsable sa pagpadala sang bomb threat sa isa ka eskwelahan diri sa Iloilo City,” she confirmed.
She said authorities cannot yet divulge full details but assured the public that the case is being dealt with firmly.
“Indi pa pwede i-release sa publiko ang kompleto nga detalye, pero klaro gid nga indi naton pagpalampason ang ini nga klase sang krimen. Ginapasiguro ko sa tanan nga the person responsible will face the full penalty of the law. Indi naton pagpasugtan nga may magpanghilabot sa seguridad sang aton mga eskwelahan,” the mayor said.
Treñas also issued a sharp warning to anyone thinking of pulling similar stunts:
“Sa bisan sin-o nga nagaplano pa maghimo sini — untata niyo na. The Iloilo City Government will apply the full force of the law as consequence sang inyo ginahimo.”
BROADER PROBE UNDERWAY
The ICPO and school officials continue to coordinate as investigators determine whether the minor acted alone or mirrored patterns seen in other schools’ threats.
Police reminded the public that issuing bomb threats — even copied or lightly altered messages — is a serious criminal offense carrying severe penalties regardless of the offender’s age.
As Iloilo remains on heightened alert with dozens of threats received in recent weeks, authorities warned that the consequences of even “boredom-driven” hoaxes are now heavier than ever.
Data shared by the ICPO show that 34 bomb threats have been recorded from January through November 2025, with campuses in both basic and higher education repeatedly targeted.
Among those affected were Iloilo National High School, West Visayas State University, Hua Siong College of Iloilo, Iloilo Science and Technology University–La Paz, Central Philippine University, University of San Agustin, UP High School in Iloilo, St. Therese–MTC Colleges, Colegio de San Jose, Fort San Pedro National High School, Ateneo de Iloilo–Santa Maria Catholic School (ADI–SMCS) and Iloilo Doctor’s College. Many of these episodes resulted in early dismissal, full-campus evacuation, and deployment of PNP bomb squads and K9 teams.
Although none of the cleared sites have yielded actual explosive devices, authorities emphasize that every report must be handled as a serious threat until properly verified, as required under Presidential Decree 1727.
Investigators believe the surge may involve coordinated hoaxes or copycat actions amplified by rapid online sharing, but note that the repeated disruptions have forced schools to constantly adjust schedules, delay assessments, and navigate heightened anxiety within their communities./PN