TACLOBAN CITY – An online threat of a mass shooting intended to instill fear and disrupt classes at the most populated high school in Eastern Visayas went kaput after school authorities decided to conduct business as usual with face-to-face classes.

The Schools Division of Tacloban City said officials of Leyte National High School (LNHS) received the threat of a supposed mass shooting allegedly involving five learners on the night of July 20, 2026.

Judging by its handle and content, the threat appears to have come from a female former LNHS student who has a sister still enrolled at the school and allegedly experiencing bullying.

After receiving the information at around 11:00 p.m. on Monday, School Principal Dr. Bayani Adona immediately informed the Philippine National Police for appropriate law enforcement action and also referred the matter to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit (RACU) to identify its source for legal action.

Tacloban Schools Division Superintendent Sherlita Palma said that after consultations with the PNP and other concerned agencies, it was decided not to suspend face-to-face classes.

“Based on the security assessment conducted by our law enforcement partners, sufficient measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and protection of our learners, teachers, and school personnel,” Palma said in a public statement.

“Let this be our collective resolve: We cannot allow evil to frighten us, and we will not allow fear to control us. While we remain vigilant and prepared, we likewise remain committed to ensuring that learning continues in a safe, secure, and orderly environment,” Palma stated.

“We refuse to allow malicious individuals to disrupt the education of our children or weaken the confidence of our school communities,” she added.

On Tuesday morning, SWAT personnel from the Tacloban City Mobile Force Company were seen conducting foot patrols inside the campus, roving from one room to another in all of its buildings.

P/Lt. Col. J-Rale Paalisbo, force commander of the TCMFC, said the foot patrols within the school premises aim to prevent criminal activities and ensure the safety and security of students, faculty, and school personnel.

Established in 1903, LNHS is one of the oldest and biggest public secondary schools in Eastern Visayas, with its student population remaining at around 10,000 annually.