THE MANILA Police District (MPD) has launched an investigation into an online bomb threat targeting several buildings at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) after threatening messages warning of a possible bombing and shooting were reported on Tuesday, October 27.

Police received the initial report at around 6 a.m. after a representative of the Physical Therapist Society reportedly received a threatening message through Facebook Messenger. The message named the university’s Medical Building, Main Building and St. Raymund Building as possible targets.

It also referred to an alleged shooting and claimed that the supposed attack had not pushed through the previous Saturday. Authorities have yet to verify the claims or determine the credibility of the threat.

According to the initial police report, similar messages were sent to the official Messenger account of the UST Central Student Council at around 7 a.m. and to the Central Commission on Elections account at approximately 7:40 a.m.

The sender, using the account name “TIGER TTIGER,” reportedly deactivated the account at around 7:45 a.m.

Personnel from the MPD’s UBA Police Community Precinct, led by Police Major Reydel Closa, responded to the incident and gathered information at the Office of the Dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences in the St. Martin de Forest Building within the UST compound along España Boulevard in Sampaloc, Manila.

The MPD Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit, led by Police Lt. Maria Yu and three other personnel, conducted inspection and threat-assessment operations. Members of the Manila District Anti-Cybercrime Team, led by Police Cpl. Evan Atad, also joined the investigation to trace the source of the online messages.

The initial information-gathering operation concluded at around 9 a.m., the police report said.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, with the credibility of the threat and the identity of the sender yet to be established.