Batangas City school suspends classes amid shooting threat
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 1:33 p.m.) — A high school in Batangas City has suspended its classes due to a possible threat of a school shooting.
In an advisory posted on the Facebook page of Batangas City Integrated High School shortly before midnight on Sunday, June 28, the school said the suspension would remain in effect until further notice.
“This precautionary measure is being implemented to ensure the safety and security of all learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel, parents, and other members of the school community,” the advisory said.
The school advised everyone “not to enter or proceed” on the school premises while the suspension is in effect.
There have yet to be further details about the threat. But the school said that it is coordinating with law enforcement about the matter.
Philstar.com has also reached out to the Batangas City Police Station for more details, but they have yet to reply.
The school also urged students, parents, and personnel to refrain from spreading unverified information.
The threat came days after the multiple attacks on schools perpetrated by minors.
On June 22, two students opened fire on their schoolmates in Tacloban City, which resulted in three dead and 20 injured.
On June 25, authorities also foiled an attack in Leyte by a 14-year-old girl.
In a briefing with reporters, Philippine National Police Spokesperson Allen Rae Co said the message was sent to the school's Facebook page at around 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The sender, who claimed to be a Grade 10 student, explicitly threatened to shoot or stab students from Grades 6 to 10, stating that they were being targeted for bullying.
Upon discovery of the message by a school adviser, the administration flagged it as a serious threat and suspended classes.
"Agad nagpunta yung ating mga kapulisan doon sa school to coordinate with them to check the veracity and itong report na ito. of course kasama na rin yung threat assessment to the school at lahat ng pagbabantay ay gagawin natin sa school," Co said.
(Our police personnel immediately went to the school to coordinate with them, verify the accuracy of this report, and, of course, conduct a threat assessment for the school. We will also be undertaking all necessary security and monitoring measures at the campus.)
Co added that the exact identity and age of the suspect remain unknown, as the individual used a fictitious name to send the threat.
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