• THERESA MAE DULMAN
St. John’s Institute, a private school in Bacolod City, cleared the way for students to return to school today, March 13, after declaring a false alarm on a mass shooting threat.
The school sent students home and shifted to remote learning yesterday as a precaution, after a threat sent via text message that has since been debunked by the school after an investigation, demanded that students return to online classes.
In a statement, Principal Mariedel Isulat assured the community that the administration has taken all necessary precautions to secure the campus and remains fully committed to the safety of all students, teachers, and staff.
Police Major Eugene Tolentino, chief of Bacolod Police Station 2, said that they obtained a lead on the individuals allegedly responsible for the threat.
While investigators worked to determine if the text message was new or recycled, Tolentino noted it did not appear to be linked to previous issues involving the institution.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), who declared the school safe, deployed the SWAT unit around the premises to ensure public safety.
Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said that they coordinated directly with BCPO Director PCol. Eugene Rebadomia to refer the case to the PNP Cybercrime Unit for digital tracing.
“Anyone responsible for issuing or spreading threats that sow fear and endanger our people will be held accountable and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Gasataya warned.
He added that campus CCTV systems were fully operational and were reviewed to assist the investigation.
Authorities urged the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information.*
