A bomb threat email received Monday morning sent Silliman University in Dumaguete City into a hours-long security lockdown on July 6, 2026, mobilising police explosive ordnance disposal teams, K9 units, and multiple government agencies before authorities finally issued an all-clear late that evening. The campus was confirmed entirely safe, with no explosive devices or credible threats discovered at any of the five locations named in the message.
All Five Campus Sites Inspected and Declared Safe
The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) announced the conclusion of clearing operations at approximately 10:10 p.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026. Provincial Director PCOL Timmar J. Alam’s office confirmed that every location specified in the threat had been subjected to a thorough inspection by responding units.
According to NOrPPO, the combined response drew personnel from the Dumaguete City Police Station, EOD specialists, and K9 teams. Additional support was provided by the Philippine Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, reflecting the scale and seriousness with which authorities treated the incident.
“Security forces have confirmed no explosive devices or credible threats were present,” NOrPPO stated in its official update, commending all participating agencies for their swift and well-coordinated effort throughout the operation.
Threat Email Arrived at ICT Division at 10:00 a.m.
The bomb threat was first reported at around 10:00 a.m. Monday when the University’s Information and Communication Technology Division received the alarming email. The message originated from a sender who identified themselves only as “Tenna Tenna,” and it claimed that explosive devices had been planted at several points across the Silliman campus.
The email specifically identified five locations as targets: the Luce Auditorium, the senior high school buildings, the third floor of Oriental Hall, the junior high school area, and Chanon Hall. The sender called for the immediate evacuation of students from all five named sites, prompting the University and law enforcement agencies to spring into action.
University Activates Security Protocols and Urges Calm
Silliman University confirmed receipt of the threat in an advisory released the same day, stating that it had immediately activated appropriate safety and security protocols in close coordination with campus security personnel and the Philippine National Police. The University did not minimise the threat and worked alongside law enforcement to ensure a systematic and thorough response.
In its communications, Silliman University called on all members of the campus community — including students, faculty, and staff — to remain calm and to follow the directions of security personnel on the ground. The University also urged everyone to rely solely on official University channels for accurate and timely information throughout the duration of the security sweep.
Fake Suspension Memo Attributed to University Official Spreads on Social Media
As clearing operations continued through the day and evening, a fabricated memorandum began circulating widely on social media platforms. The document falsely bore the name of University Administrator Dr. Arthur V. Pendleton and purported to announce a suspension of all classes and campus operations on July 7, 2026.
Silliman University acted quickly to debunk the document, warning the public that the memorandum did not originate from the institution and carried no official authority whatsoever. The University appealed to the community not to create, share, or forward unverified information — especially during an active security situation where misinformation could cause unnecessary alarm and complicate the response of authorities.
NOrPPO Cautions Public on False Bomb Threats and Misinformation
NOrPPO reinforced the University’s warning against spreading unverified reports or fabricated content online. The provincial police office reminded the public that deliberately making a false bomb threat constitutes a serious criminal offense under Philippine law and carries corresponding legal penalties.
According to NOrPPO, classes and campus operations remained governed exclusively by communications from official University channels as the multi-agency clearing operation extended from morning through the evening hours. The office credited the smooth progression of the response to the coordination among all partner agencies involved.
By the Numbers
- 10:00 a.m. — Time the bomb threat email was received by Silliman University’s ICT Division on Monday, July 6, 2026
- 5 — Number of campus locations named in the threat: Luce Auditorium, senior high school buildings, third floor of Oriental Hall, junior high school, and Chanon Hall
- 10:10 p.m. — Time NOrPPO officially issued the all-clear, confirming no explosive devices or credible threats were found on campus
- 1 — Fabricated memorandum falsely attributed to University Administrator Dr. Arthur V. Pendleton that circulated on social media during the security operation
Why This Matters
The bomb threat required the large-scale deployment of EOD teams, K9 units, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to secure a major educational institution serving thousands of students in Dumaguete City — demonstrating the significant public resources that even unverified threats can demand. The concurrent spread of a fabricated suspension memorandum on social media during the live security sweep illustrates how misinformation can compound the danger and confusion of emergency situations. NOrPPO’s clear reminder that filing false bomb threats is a criminal offense under Philippine law signals that authorities are prepared to pursue legal accountability against those who use such tactics to disrupt public order.
Source: Breaking News Negros Oriental (breakingnewsnegrosoriental.com)
