POLICE secure a school in Escalante City, Negros Occidental. (Escalante City Police Station)
BACOLOD CITY – The Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR) is investigating a mass shooting threat in a high school in Escalante City, Negros Occidental.
Screenshots of an online conversation circulated on Monday, June 29, where a student allegedly shared his plan to carry out a shooting similar to Tacloban City last week.
The conversation was discovered by a woman through her nephew's gadget.
Classes were not suspended but parents, who were alarmed by the online post, fetched their children from Escalante City National High School.
The Escalante City Police Station promptly initiated appropriate interventions and preventive measures to ensure the safety and security of students and staff.
Parents of the child allegedly responsible for the online threat voluntarily executed a written waiver authorizing investigators to examine their child’s mobile phone.
This allows law enforcement to lawfully conduct digital forensic examination of the device to identify the individuals involved in the chat group, determine the extent of any potential threats, and prevent any untoward incidents.
Police Brig. Gen. Romano Cardiño, PRO-NIR chief, has directed police to maintain close coordination with educational institutions and local government partners to ensure that schools remain safe and secure environments where learners can study without fear.
“There is no room for complacency when it comes to threats affecting our schools,” he said.
Police appealed to all parents and guardians to actively monitor the online activities of their children, stressing that open communication, responsible digital citizenship, and parental guidance remain among the most effective safeguards against cyberbullying, online threats, and other harmful activities in digital spaces.
Last week, a Grade 9 student was allegedly stabbed and injured by his Grade 10 schoolmate in Barangay 2, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental due to grudges. The victim and the suspect were both 17-years-old.
The PRO-NIR encouraged people to promptly report threats against schools or students as early reporting enables authorities to take immediate and appropriate action to protect lives and maintain peace in communities.