(Sto. Niño Special Education (SPED) Center Facebook)
TACLOBAN CITY — A reported online threat against a Grade 6 pupil of the Sto. Niño Special Education (SPED) Center here turned out to be a false alarm, police said, as authorities continue to heighten security in schools following a deadly shooting at another campus in the city last month.
The Tacloban City Police Office (TCPO) said the incident was reported on the afternoon of July 22 after a teacher informed authorities that a Grade 6 pupil had allegedly received a threatening message through Facebook Messenger from an account using the name “William Velasco.”
Police immediately coordinated with the school administration, teachers and other concerned individuals to verify the report and determine whether there was a genuine threat to the pupil or the school community.
After its initial investigation, the TCPO said it found no actual external threat against the pupil, the SPED Center or its personnel.
The incident came a day after an online threat targeting Leyte National High School, also in Tacloban City, prompted heightened security measures and concern among students and parents. Authorities, however, said there was no need to suspend face-to-face classes at the school.
The two incidents occurred less than a month after a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on June 22 that left three students dead and 20 others injured.
The shooting prompted authorities to intensify security measures in schools and closely monitor threats and other suspicious activities directed at educational institutions.
The TCPO urged parents to closely supervise their children’s online activities and guide them in the responsible use of social media.
Police also warned that issuing threats or making false reports, including through social media platforms, may disrupt public order and could result in legal liability.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
