Upon order of PBGen. Cardiño
TACLOBAN CITY – Police have tightened security around schools across Eastern Visayas following the discovery of a threat letter at the Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) campus in Naval, as authorities remain on heightened alert over campus violence following recent school shootings in Tacloban City and South Cotabato.
The threat letter was found inside the BiPSU Student Center on Sept. 22, prompting the university’s Crisis Management Team, Naval Municipal Police Station (MPS) and Biliran Police Provincial Office to immediately respond and conduct a security assessment.
Naval Mayor Gretchen Stephanie Espina also convened a coordination meeting with police, the Biliran Forensic Unit and BiPSU President Victor Canezo Jr. An emergency meeting with the parents and teachers association was held to brief parents on the incident.
Authorities are continuing their investigation into the threat letter. No other details about its contents or the circumstances surrounding its discovery have been released.
The Biliran incident comes amid heightened concern over school violence following the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where three students were killed and several others wounded.
On Sept. 18, another school shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato left two students and the alleged 16-year-old gunman dead and several others injured.
The South Cotabato shooting was followed by reports of online threats against schools, including an alleged threat to carry out a shooting at a school in neighboring Sultan Kudarat.
In Biliran, Naval police had also earlier responded to a separate report of an alleged plan by unidentified high school students to carry out a shooting at the BiPSU Laboratory High School.
Naval MPS coordinated with the BiPSU Crisis Management Team, laboratory high school faculty and the Dalangpan Team of the Naval local government to assess and validate the report.
Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8) director PBGen. Romano Cardiño said police units in the region have been directed to treat reports of threats against schools with urgency and to closely coordinate with school authorities and local governments.
“The safety of our learners is a shared responsibility,” Cardiño said in a statement, urging parents and guardians to closely monitor their children’s activities, behavior and interactions and to report immediately any unusual or concerning information.
“Every report deserves our attention, and through early reporting and coordinated action, we can prevent threats from escalating and help keep our schools safe,” he added.
PRO-8 said police units are increasing their visibility around schools, maintaining regular communication with school officials and strengthening mechanisms for the prompt reporting and assessment of security concerns.
The regional police office is also coordinating with the Department of Education, local government units and other concerned agencies to ensure that reports of possible threats are promptly relayed, assessed and acted upon.
Authorities reminded the public to report suspicious activities or objects and avoid spreading unverified information that could cause unnecessary alarm.
JOEY A. GABIETA
