Classes in Escalante City HS shift to ADM as police probe school shooting threat
Classes at Escalante National High School (ENHS) in Escalante City, Negros Occidental shifted to Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) beginning Monday afternoon, June 29, as police investigate an online school shooting threat allegedly involving a 14-year-old student from another school.
In a social media post, the school’s official publication announced that teachers were directed to provide Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) and other learning materials to their classes through available online communication platforms following an emergency meeting and consultation with the Division Office, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and school administration to ensure the safety and well-being of all learners and personnel.
Principal Jesus Tabelino reminded all teachers to remain mindful of learners who do not have access to mobile phones or the internet and find alternative ways to reach and support them.
Although the alleged threat was not specified to target ENHS, Police Lt. Col. Florendo Fajardo, Escalante police chief, said that some parents who were alarmed fetched their children from ENHS following the incident.
The threat stemmed from the viral post of a woman who discovered an online conversation between her nephew and his playmate which mentioned Escalante City.
Screenshots of the online conversation circulated on Monday where a student shared his plan to carry out a mass shooting.
Fajardo said the minor student and his parents were summoned by authorities and the student denied using a social media account.
Despite this, police said that investigation will continue as they have been authorized by the family to examine the child’s mobile phone. “We will get to the bottom of this,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo said the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has talked to the minor student. He added that the student had a spotless school record.
He urged the public to immediately report such threats to authorities for immediate action.