Cops heighten school security after E.B. Magalona threat

BACOLOD CITY — The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) has ordered heightened security measures and a thorough investigation following a reported online threat against E.B. Magalona National High School in E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental, on Tuesday.

Police Capt. Armel Lasap, chief of the E.B. Magalona Municipal Police Station, said police were informed of the threat Tuesday morning by the school principal after a student received a message on Facebook and reported it to an adviser.

Lasap said the message did not specify an action or target but circulated in various online groups involving students of the public high school.

Lasap acknowledged the difficulty of identifying the person responsible for the alleged threat but said police have coordinated with the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit to trace the sender, who reportedly used a dummy account.

He said an inspection found no suspicious items or activities on the school grounds.

However, Mayor Matthew Louis Malacon ordered the suspension of classes at E.B. Magalona National High School and E.B. Magalona Elementary School to ensure the safety of students and personnel.

“We are now on top of the situation,” Malacon said. “We will get to the bottom of all this.”

“We will no longer risk the safety of our students,” the mayor said.

Amid the online threat, Malacon urged Saraviahanons “to stay calm and don’t panic.”

He assured residents that police were investigating the online threat further.

“We will not take this issue lightly. We will hold the person responsible for this absurdity or foolishness accountable,” Malacon warned.

In a statement, Police Brig. Gen. Rudecindo Reales, PRO-NIR director, assured the school community that police were treating the matter seriously while cautioning the public against spreading unverified information.

“We are taking this reported threat seriously,” Reales said, as he directed personnel to strengthen security coordination with the school and ensure the safety of students, teachers and school personnel while investigators work to establish the source and circumstances of the message.

He appealed to the public to remain calm and vigilant and refrain from sharing unverified information that could cause unnecessary fear or panic.

“Any suspicious message or information related to this incident should be immediately reported to the police,” he added.

The incident happened a day after local police conducted a simulation exercise on school-related cases and a debriefing for students and teachers.

It is the latest school-related threat reported in Negros Occidental, following an alleged threat involving another school in the province last month.

The incident also comes days after a school shooting in Banga, South Cotabato, left three students dead, including the alleged shooter.