The Southern Police District (SPD) said all reports and social media posts about alleged shootings and bomb threats directed at schools under its jurisdiction “are being treated with the highest level of urgency.”

Face-to-face classes in all private and public schools in Pateros were suspended on July 21 following bomb threats that spread on social media.

Classes at Pateros National High School (PNHS) and Pateros Elementary School were earlier suspended after a TikTok post claimed a bomb threat against the high school.

The Pateros police, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team, and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD/K9) unit inspected PNHS but found no explosives or evidence of an actual threat.

SPD said it is conducting investigations, intelligence validation, and security operations “to determine the authenticity of these threats and ensure the safety of students, teachers, school personnel, and the public.”

To secure schools, SPD said it has intensified police visibility, mobile patrols, and security monitoring around educational institutions.

It warned that “any person who creates, posts, shares, or propagates false bomb threats, shooting threats, or other malicious information intended to cause fear, panic, or public alarm will be identified, investigated, and held accountable under the law. Appropriate criminal charges will be filed against all those responsible.”