Talubangi National High School (TNHS) in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, shifted to remote learning on Monday after an online message containing a threat to shoot all teachers on the head during the flag-raising ceremony.
On Sunday night, a certain ‘Tonyo Shooter’ sent a threat using the messenger of TINTA -Talubangi NHS OSP, the official online publication of the school, that read:’ UMANDAM KAMO BWAS HA…Sadya gid ni para sa inyo…pang tiruhon namon sa ulo mga maistro kag maistra [Prepare yourselves tomorrow… This is going to be exciting…we will shoot all teachers on the head].’
The school officials then coordinated with the local police and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to track down the sender of the message.
Police Lieutenant Colonel (PLTCOL) Gary Alan V. Resuma, City Chief of Police, met with TNHS Principal Melvan B. Calumag to assess the situation and to ensure peace, order, and safety of the students, teachers, and faculty members.
In an interview with Business Mirror, Calumag said that they were surprised by the threat, noting that the Science -oriented school has a peaceful school environment, with almost 1,000 students.
She said that the authorities are now investigating to uncover and apprehend the suspect or suspects behind the threat.
Calumag also met with the TNHS teachers for a well-being assessment and to discuss measures against school violence and threats.
Some of the teachers admitted that they felt nervous and experienced anxiety when they were informed about the threat on Sunday night.
‘We have interventions in place…this threat is different since it specifically targeted the teachers,’ Calumag said, noting that they will apply effective interventions for teachers who were nervous and experiencing anxiety following the school shooting threat.
Calumag said that classes at TNHS will resume on Tuesday, August 11, after Resuma assured them of the safety of learners, teachers, other school personnel, and the security of the school premises.
Resuma told the school officials that they will sustain the intensified police visibility, mobile patrol operations, and other preventive police measures in the area to deter criminality and maintain public safety.