Silliman University (SU) in Dumaguete City confirmed on July 6, 2026, that it received a reported bomb threat involving its campus and has activated safety and security protocols in coordination with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and campus security. The university also issued a separate warning that day against a fake memorandum circulating on social media that falsely announced a suspension of classes and lockdown measures tied to the threat.
University Confirms Threat, Activates Security Protocols
In an official advisory, Silliman University said it had received a reported bomb threat and had immediately engaged its safety and security response mechanisms. The university did not release specific details about the nature or origin of the threat as of its advisories issued on July 6.
The university instructed members of the SU community to remain calm and to strictly follow the instructions of security personnel and university officials. It said it was coordinating with the PNP on the response and committed to releasing verified updates through its official communication channels as information became available.
Fake Memorandum Bearing Administrator's Name Spreads Online
In a separate advisory issued the same day, Silliman University flagged a memorandum circulating on social media as fabricated, saying the document did not originate from the university. The fake memo purported to bear the signature of University Administrator Dr. Arthur Pendleton and falsely announced the suspension of classes and campus operations, along with supposed lockdown and evacuation procedures tied to the reported threat.
"The memorandum purportedly signed by Dr. Arthur Pendleton that is currently circulating on social media is fake and did not originate from the University," SU said in its advisory, cautioning that information from unofficial sources may be inaccurate or misleading and can cause unnecessary confusion and alarm among students, faculty, staff, and the broader community.
The university confirmed that no such suspension of classes or campus operations had been officially announced and that no official lockdown or evacuation orders had been issued through its authorized channels.
SU Urges Public to Verify Before Sharing
Silliman University appealed to the public to exercise discernment and responsibility when engaging with information online. It specifically urged everyone to refrain from creating, forwarding, or circulating unverified or false information related to the incident.
"The University remains committed to providing timely, accurate, and verified information through its official platforms," SU said, reiterating that all official announcements would come only through its recognized communication channels.
The university asked the public and members of the SU community to monitor its official platforms for verified updates and to disregard the fake memorandum in circulation.
Silliman University's Standing in Philippine Higher Education
Silliman University was founded in 1901 in Dumaguete City, making it one of the oldest institutions of higher education in the Philippines. It is also among the largest universities in the Central Visayas region, with a large student population drawn from across the country and abroad.
Why This Matters
A bomb threat at one of the Philippines' oldest and most prominent universities naturally generates significant public concern, and the rapid spread of a fabricated memorandum compounded that concern by circulating false operational information — including false claims of class suspensions and lockdown orders — attributed to a named university official. The incident underscores the dangers of misinformation during active security situations, where unverified content can trigger unnecessary panic and interfere with legitimate emergency response. Silliman University's dual response — confirming the threat while immediately debunking the fake document — reflects the growing importance of institutional communication control during security incidents.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Silliman University