False shooting threat disrupts Bacolod school classes

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Classes at St. John’s Institute-Hua Ming here were suspended Thursday after a social media post threatening a mass shooting circulated online, prompting authorities to send students home and secure the school premises.

Police Major Eugene Tolentino, head of Police Station 2, said the post claimed a mass shooting would take place at the school because of the resumption of face-to-face classes.

The threat was reported to police early Thursday morning, leading officers to respond to the campus at about 7:30 a.m.

Police immediately cordoned off the school for inspection, while members of the Special Weapons and Tactics team and Mobile Patrol Unit personnel were deployed to augment security in the area.

In a Facebook post, St. John’s Institute-Hua Ming announced that Thursday classes would shift to online synchronous mode.

On-site classes are scheduled to resume Friday.

“We would like to inform the public that the recent threat at the school has been investigated and found to be false,” the school said in its statement.

School officials assured the public that necessary steps were taken to assess the situation and ensure the safety of students, teachers and staff.

“We want to assure you that everything is under control, and we remain committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for everyone,” the statement added.

Tolentino said police officers remain on standby in the area to strengthen security.

Authorities are also investigating whether the threat was a recycled message or a newly created post, noting that face-to-face classes had long resumed following the end of pandemic-era restrictions.

Despite the threat being declared false, Tolentino said authorities are treating the incident seriously and will continue the investigation.

Police are working to track down the person who originally posted the threat online.

The City Government said it has been alerted to a social media post alleging a mass shooting threat against the said private school.

Mayor Greg Gasataya, in a statement, said that he had coordinated with Police Col. Eugene Rebadomia, officer-in-charge of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to ensure public safety.

Gasataya said the matter has been referred to the PNP Cybercrime Unit, and investigative leads are actively being pursued.

Closed-circuit television systems on campus have been checked and confirmed operational to support the ongoing investigation, he added.

He warned that those responsible for issuing or spreading threats that sow fear and endanger the people will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

“The safety of our students, educators, and families in Bacolod City is absolute,” the mayor said.

He urged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information as authorities continue with the investigation.