Police are investigating separate threatening posts directed at two public high schools in Negros Occidental, prompting heightened security, increased police visibility and coordination with cybercrime authorities.
The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region said the incidents involved Ramon Torres National High School-Senior High School in Bago City and Victorias National High School in Victorias City, with both threats posted on social media on Monday, Oct. 12.
PRO-NIR director Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales said police are taking the threats seriously, particularly because they were directed at students and teachers.
“We will act swiftly, investigate thoroughly, and pursue accountability against anyone found responsible, consistent with due process and the law,” Reales said.
In Bago City, a senior high school teacher reported to police at about 8:40 a.m. Monday that a threatening comment had been posted on “The Guiding Light Club” Facebook page by an account using the name “Nit Tagi.”
Police said the post, uploaded at around midnight, expressed anger over school schedules and threatened to kill three teachers and five students and shoot teachers at the school.
Bago City police immediately sent investigators to the campus and coordinated with school officials.
Police personnel were deployed to secure the school, while SWAT personnel were directed to conduct round-the-clock mobile patrols in the vicinity.
Classes at Ramon Torres National High School were suspended Monday, and parents were advised to fetch their children.
The school administration said it was coordinating with the Bago City government, police cybercrime personnel and other law enforcement agencies to verify the source of the post and determine the credibility of the threat.
Authorities are also coordinating with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group for digital tracing and preservation of electronic evidence.
Police said sworn statements will be obtained from the complainant, school officials and other witnesses, while investigators determine what charges may be filed against the person behind the account.
A separate online threat was reported the same day at Victorias National High School.
Police said the school’s MAPEH department head reported at around 1:30 p.m. a Facebook post from an unidentified person using the account name “VNHS Target Lock.”
The post allegedly threatened students of Victorias National High School and contained references to shooting students and carrying out attacks over a period of time.
Victorias police proceeded to the school and coordinated with the guidance counselor and school administration to gather information and strengthen security measures.
VNHS said it had also reported the incident to the Victorias City Police Station and Brgy. 5.
The school announced that classes would proceed Tuesday, Oct. 13, although parents and guardians were allowed to decide whether to send their children to school while authorities continue their investigation.
Heightened security, increased police visibility and stricter inspections at school entrances and exits were also put in place.
VNHS urged students, parents and the public not to reshare the threatening post or circulate unverified information that could cause unnecessary panic.
Reales likewise appealed to the public to immediately report suspicious messages or activities and preserve potential digital evidence rather than confronting suspected account holders themselves.
He said police are working with school authorities and concerned agencies to identify those responsible for the posts and ensure that classes can continue in a safe environment.
“Threats of violence, whether made online or offline, are matters of serious concern and will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Reales said.*
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