BAYBAY CITY, Leyte – The Visayas State University main campus has been cleared of possible explosives after halting more than 2 days-worth of classes and work.
In a statement published on facebook, President Dr. Edgardo E. Tulin, announced that the school is free of possible explosives.
“Visayas State University (VSU) is already cleared of possible explosives. EOD and K-9 units who were deployed at the upper and lower campuses confirmed this report as of 5:30PM.”
He added that security briefing was held before wrapping up the campus-wide inspection.
Classes and work at VSU were disrupted on Wednesday, March 27, following an SMS warning to officials and students of possible bombs implanted in the school by the New People's Army (NPA). This prompted the university to suspend classes and order students to go home amid local authorities probe VSU.
Safety
The hasty move-out have sent students into frenzy to rush to their homes, crowding public vehicles in the process.
Selected students, however, chose to stay despite of possible security risks.
Mabolo Men’s Hall occupant, Ivan Gale Ramal, explained that the distance of his hometown from VSU made it hard for him to go home.
“Naa pako diri, di ko kauli kay tungod na layo man gud ako ulian. Kalma raman mi diri pero amo adviser ga sige’g ingon na kinahanglan namo magbantay in case kung naa gud bomba (para) kadali ra pud mi mu-evacuate,” Ramal said.
Meanwhile, activities that was supposed to be held on March 28 and 29 have been moved.
Tree planting for all graduating students will be held on March 30 to April 6. The Regional Administrative and Tactical Inspection (RAATI) supposedly to be carried out on April 1 is rescheduled to April 15.
Diversion
In an interview with the CNN Philippines' Newsroom, the Leyte police chief said that it could not yet confirm if the bomb scare was a diversion by the NPA from other possible attacks.
"We are not discounting the possibility that this is just a diversionary [tactic]. Maybe they will focus their unlawful activities to some other parts of the region," Reli told CNN Philippines.
He however urged the public to remain calm as all safety measures are being carried out by local authorities.