Police are investigating a series of online threats directed at at least five schools in Negros Occidental, with authorities identifying a student responsible for one incident in Victorias City while cybercrime investigators trace the remaining suspects.
Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region director, Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, said during a press conference Wednesday, Oct. 14, that several threats have been reported through Facebook and Messenger, requiring coordination with the PNP-MORAnti-Cybercrime Group to identify the account holders.
The incidents involve Ramon Torres National High School-Senior High School and Ramon Torres Louisiana National High School in Bago City, Victorias National High School and Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias in Victorias City, and Enriqueta Montilla de Esteban Memorial High School in Pulupandan.
Reales said police have already identified the person allegedly responsible for one of the Victorias incidents.
The person, whom police described as a student, was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
Reales said an image associated with the threat showed what initially appeared to be a firearm but was later determined to be a toy gun.
Based on information gathered from classmates and neighbors, investigators are looking into bullying as a factor in the incident, Reales said.
He added that the school had reportedly recommended disciplinary action against the student.
Police are still processing the other cases with cybercrime investigators, particularly because the threats were posted using social media accounts and messaging platforms.
Reales said investigators are also examining similarities in the names and language used by some of the accounts and have not ruled out the possibility that one person may be behind more than one threat.
Authorities are likewise checking whether the posts were intended to disrupt ongoing school examinations.
EARLIER THREATS IN BAGO, VICTORIAS
The series began Monday, Oct. 12, when a threatening post targeting teachers and students of Ramon Torres National High School-Senior High School in Bago City was reported to police.
The post, made through a Facebook account using the name “Nit Tagi,” contained threats against several teachers and students and expressed anger over school schedules.
Police deployed personnel to the campus, while SWAT teams conducted mobile patrols around the area.
Classes were suspended that day and parents were advised to fetch their children.
On the same day, Victorias National High School reported another threatening post from an account using the name “VNHS Target Lock,” which allegedly threatened students and referred to possible attacks over an extended period.
The school coordinated with Victorias police and Brgy. 5, while security and inspections at entrances and exits were tightened.
Classes at VNHS were scheduled to proceed on Oct. 13, although parents were allowed to decide whether to send their children to school while the investigation continued.
THREE MORE SCHOOLS RECEIVE THREATS
Another threatening post surfaced at Ramon Torres Louisiana National High School in Brgy. Ma-ao, Bago City, at around 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 13.
Police said an account using the name “Dingg Dingg” allegedly threatened teachers, a school official, a security guard and Grade 10 students.
Bago police immediately deployed personnel to the campus, established police visibility near the school and principal’s office, and conducted mobile patrols.
In Victorias City, Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias reported another online threat at around 8 p.m. Tuesday.
The message allegedly threatened faculty members and students and made reference to the earlier Victorias National High School incident.
Victorias police coordinated with school officials and personnel to obtain additional information and identify the person responsible for the post.
A fifth case was reported at Enriqueta Montilla de Esteban Memorial High School in Pulupandan shortly after midnight Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Police said a Facebook account using the name “Mak Kit” posted a message threatening students, particularly those allegedly involved in bullying, and referred to bringing a bladed weapon into the school.
Pulupandan police immediately coordinated with the school principal to assess the threat, gather information and strengthen security precautions.
Reales said all reported threats are being treated seriously regardless of whether they are eventually determined to be credible.
He stressed that police respond immediately upon receiving reports while investigators work to validate the posts and identify those responsible.
PRO-NIR urged parents, students and school officials to immediately report suspicious posts or messages and avoid circulating unverified information that may cause unnecessary alarm.
Police said the investigations remain ongoing, with digital evidence being preserved and examined to determine whether the incidents are connected and what charges may be filed against those responsible.*
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