CEBU, PHILIPPINES — The Department of Education (DepEd) Mandaue City Division has tightened security in three public schools following reports of threats circulating on social media, prompting immediate coordination with the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) and its national office.
DepEd Mandaue Division Legal Officer Atty. Marinel Oro said the division acted as soon as it received information of the threat by convening a coordination meeting with the police to determine the necessary measures to ensure the safety of students and school personnel.
On Monday, Aug. 3, the PNP augmented its security deployment at the said schools by assigning additional personnel, while concerned barangays also provided security assistance.
The threats, which were circulated through social media and monitored by DepEd, contained messages stating, “Nag hinay-hinay namig kakatag sa among team, naa nasad me pusilon. Amping nalang ninyo… Target: Grade 7 hangtod Grade 12. Good luck ninyo haha.”
Despite the threats, classes were not suspended. Oro said the decision to continue face-to-face classes was jointly agreed by DepEd and the PNP after assessing the situation.
She explained that schools have already been instructed to immediately report any security threats or suspicious information to the Division Office, allowing authorities to coordinate promptly with law enforcement.
“Good kaayo ang PNP kay they are willing and able to assist. Immediately pagkahibaw nila, nihatag dayon sila og assistance sa atoa,” Oro said.
According to Oro, the PNP is still investigating the case and has yet to identify the individuals responsible for posting the threats.
She stressed that DepEd Mandaue is not taking the threats lightly.
“Dili gyud na nato ibutang ra sa daplin nga pasagdaan. Always we coordinate with the PNP,” she said, adding that the division leaves it to the police to determine the appropriate course of action and identify those behind the online messages.
Oro emphasized that DepEd’s priority is to ensure the safety of students and school personnel.
Security measures have been strengthened through increased police visibility, continued assistance from barangay officials, and stricter implementation of school security protocols.
“Ang nakanindot, naa na gyud na sila daan, pero karon gipahugtan pa gyud nato ang mga ingon ana nga security measures,” she said.
She added that all schools across the city will continue conducting bag inspections, with stricter checks on students’ belongings as part of the enhanced security measures.
Meanwhile, classes at the University of Cebu (UC)-Banilad were suspended yesterday after a faculty member received a threatening message through Facebook Messenger, prompting authorities to evacuate students and conduct a security inspection of the campus.
According to the Mabolo Police Station of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), the threatening message was received by a faculty member assigned at the university’s Senior High School building in Barangay Banilad at around 10:30 a.m.
The message, sent from a Facebook account bearing the name “John Dave,” read: “Amping mo ugma mga UCB Ma’am, samot mga morning kay anam-anamon mo namo. Condolences daan ninyo, hihihi.”
Following the report, Mabolo Police Station, led by Station Commander Police Major Thom Ed L. Taghoy, immediately deployed its duty investigator, police responders, beat patrol personnel, the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, and the Mobile Patrol Unit (MPU).
The operation was conducted in coordination with the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) and volunteer firefighters.
Authorities carried out a security assessment and inspected classrooms and other school facilities while students were evacuated from the campus. Classes were suspended at around 11 a.m. as a precautionary measure.
Police said no explosive device or any immediate threat was found during the verification and inspection.
Investigators have launched an investigation to determine the source and credibility of the threat and identify the person behind the Facebook account used to send it, while continuing to ensure the safety and security of students, faculty members, and other school personnel.
The Cebu City Police Office urged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information as the investigation continues.
Police also encouraged anyone with information about the incident to coordinate with the nearest police station.
Written by Kristin De Dios and Shiela Mae Agrabio/IHM
