Daily Tribune
Online school threats are spreading across Eastern Visayas after the fatal Tacloban shooting, with campuses in Palo, Northern Samar and Calbayog tightening security, coordinating with police and urging parents to monitor children’s online activity to prevent panic and ensure student safety.
PALO, Leyte — Following the fatal shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, at least three more schools in Eastern Visayas have become targets of online threats of similar attacks originating from fictitious social media accounts.
On Saturday, the administration of Palo National High School said it had received two reports of alleged threats, which were immediately reported to authorities for investigation and for efforts to trace the Facebook and Messenger accounts involved.
In a statement, the school administration said that while there was no immediate threat or harm resulting from the messages, the school remains alert and vigilant.
“The safety of our students, faculty, and staff is our highest priority,” the administration said.
Palo National High School has more than 2,000 students enrolled in its junior and senior high school programs.
In Northern Samar, Allen National High School also received a similar threat, reportedly targeting Grade 8 learners.
Allen Vice Mayor Christian Lao said the threat had already been reported to authorities, who are conducting an investigation to identify the source of the post.
“A threat to the safety of our children, whether intended as a joke or a serious declaration of violence, will never be tolerated in the Municipality of Allen,” Lao said.
“I have requested our local police force to increase visibility and security patrols around the ANHS campus and nearby schools to ensure the peace of mind of our community,” he added on Sunday.
Lao also urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities and discuss the consequences of cyberbullying, spreading false information, and making online threats.
He called on the public to remain calm and vigilant and to refrain from resharing the post to avoid causing further panic. Instead, he encouraged anyone with relevant information to report it directly to authorities.
In Calbayog City, a separate scare occurred at Christ the King College after a social media post claimed that one of its students was carrying a firearm and was part of a group chat that allegedly included one of the shooters involved in the San Jose National High School incident.
In a statement issued on June 25, the school administration said the student involved had been temporarily barred from entering the campus while a thorough investigation is being conducted.
The decision followed a meeting between the school principal and other concerned officials to discuss the incident and determine appropriate measures to ensure the continued safety and security of the school community.
“We wish to assure our students, parents, faculty, staff, and stakeholders that the school remains safe. All school personnel are on heightened alert and continue to work closely to maintain a secure learning environment for everyone,” the administration said.
