The Department of Education (DepEd) tightened security at the Dumaguete City National High School (DCNHS) on Tuesday, July 11, following a threat circulating on social media that individuals armed with a gun and knife would enter a school and kill students, beginning with eighth graders.
Dr. Juditha Mapue, assistant schools division superintendent of DepEd-Dumaguete City Division, said that authorities decided to heighten security measures as a precaution, even though the social media post did not identify the school being targeted.
The post’s reference to “DCNHS” could also refer to another school, Mapue said.
“Better to be safe than sorry,” she said, explaining the decision to implement stricter security measures.
Parents were informed through their class group chats about the security situation and were given the option not to send their children to school on Tuesday.
For those who attended classes, security personnel conducted strict inspections of bags and other personal belongings at the school gates.
Uniformed police officers and village watchers were also deployed around the campus.
Mapue said the school also accommodates offices of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
Individuals transacting with these offices were likewise required to undergo security checks and leave an identification card with security personnel while inside the campus, she said.
No untoward incident was reported as of posting time.
Mapue commended the teachers and students for their cooperation in complying with the additional security protocols.*PNA
[sibwp_form id=1]