By Nanette Guadalquiver
BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office – Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is taking steps to identify the individuals behind the series of online school threats in Negros Occidental as another school here suspended classes on Tuesday to ensure campus safety.
“These school threats are under investigation that may lead to the identity of account holders,” PRO-NIR spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong told the Philippine News Agency.
In this highly urbanized city, Sum-ag National High School suspended classes on Tuesday after a threat to its students and teachers was posted on social media on Monday night.
Earlier on Monday, the Department of Education in Bago City said Ramon Torres National High School is “taking immediate, decisive action regarding a reported threat against learners and teachers, which has been circulating on social media.”
“We are actively collaborating with the local government unit, the Philippine National Police (PNP) Bago City cybercrime unit, and law enforcement agencies to verify the source of the post and assess the validity of the threat,” it added.
The Victorias National High School (VNHS) in Victorias City said it is “aware of a circulating social media post from an unidentified Facebook account using the name ‘VNHS Target Lock’.”
It said the incident has been reported to the Victorias City Police Station and the Office of Barangay 5, “both of which have expressed their willingness to coordinate with the school.”
In a statement, PRO-NIR Director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales said the PNP recognizes the gravity of these threats.
“The safety and security of our learners and educators remain a top priority, and we will not take any threat of violence lightly,” he said.
Reales said police personnel have conducted verification and investigation, coordinated with school authorities, and implemented security measures.
“We are also pursuing efforts to identify the individuals responsible and coordinating with the appropriate cybercrime authorities to preserve digital evidence and establish accountability,” he said.
He reminded the public that “threats of violence, whether made online or offline, are matters of serious concern and will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
“We urge the public to remain calm, vigilant, and responsible in sharing information. Please refrain from spreading unverified information that may cause unnecessary panic
