BACOLOD City – Police are investigating the discovery of a live round of ammunition and a handwritten note inside the Senior High School building of the University of Negros Occidental–Recoletos (UNO-R) on Thursday morning, July 16.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), under the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), said the recovered ammunition was of still undetermined caliber.
Initial investigation showed that students found the ammunition within the school premises and immediately reported it to the duty security guard.
The recovered items were turned over to the university’s Security and Safety Adviser, who later surrendered them to Police Station 6 for proper documentation and investigation.
Responding officers immediately secured the area, conducted an ocular inspection, and coordinated with school administrators.
As a precautionary measure, students were dismissed early while authorities implemented security protocols. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit was also deployed to examine the recovered ammunition and the accompanying handwritten note.
Police said they are determining the origin, circumstances, and intent behind the recovered items, while the contents of the handwritten note are undergoing further evaluation as part of the ongoing investigation.
PRO-NIR Regional Director Brig. Gen. Romano V. Cardiño commended the students and school personnel for promptly reporting the discovery, saying their responsible actions enabled authorities to respond immediately and implement the necessary safety measures.
He urged the public to remain calm, refrain from spreading unverified information, and report any suspicious objects or activities to the nearest police station or through SAFE NIR Dial 911.
The regional police office also reminded the public not to touch unattended suspicious objects, ammunition, explosive materials, or threatening messages, but to report them immediately to authorities.
Meanwhile, Mayor Greg Gasataya assured the public that the city government is treating the incident with utmost seriousness and remains committed to ensuring the safety of educational institutions.
Gasataya said BCPO Director Col. Eugene Rebadomia has confirmed that the situation is under control.
He added that the city government continues to coordinate closely with the BCPO and the UNO-R administration to ensure the safety of students, faculty members, and school personnel.
The mayor also urged Bacolodnons to remain calm, rely only on verified information, and allow law enforcement authorities to complete their investigation.
Rebadomia likewise clarified that there was no bomb threat or shooting incident at the university, contrary to rumors circulating on social media./PN