ANOTHER school shooting threat surfaced in Cebu on Monday, this time targeting a public high school on Olango Island in Lapu-Lapu City.
Authorities immediately investigated the latest in a series of online threats that have alarmed students, parents and educators in the province.
The reported threat emerged a day after classes were suspended at two public schools in neighboring Talisay City over a similar social media post.
It also followed recent security scares in Cebu City involving Inayawan National High School, Cebu Eastern College and the Ayala Malls Central Bloc.
The latest post, uploaded Monday morning by an account using the username "Leonido Inoc," appeared to target Nemesio-Epifania Taneo Memorial High School (NETMHS) in Barangay Tingo.
The message referenced the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City in June, where three students were killed and expressed anger over the alleged bullying of the user's sibling.
The post quickly circulated online, raising concern among parents and residents on Olango Island, who urged authorities to immediately secure the campus and ensure the safety of students and school personnel.
Tingo Barangay Captain Audie Flores said police immediately responded after the threat was reported.
Flores said the social media post has since been deleted while authorities continue to verify its contents and identify the person behind the social media post.
He also said that classes were not suspended, while police officers and barangay aides remained deployed around the school to secure the campus as the investigation continues.
In a statement, the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO) said it is taking the reported threat seriously despite the shadiness of the post.
Police said investigators are coordinating with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Unit, concerned government agencies and school authorities to determine the identity of the person responsible for the post.
"While this online post remained unverified, the LCPO treats all reports of potential threats with utmost seriousness and has already initiated appropriate investigative and preventive security measures to ensure public safety," the statement read.
The LCPO also urged the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information.
"We urge the public to remain calm and refrain from sharing or reposting unverified information, screenshots, or rumors that may cause unnecessary fear and panic. The spread of false or misleading information may hinder ongoing investigations and create undue alarm within our communities," it said.
Police also reminded the public that making threats, whether genuine or intended as a prank, as well as spreading false information that disrupts public order, may result in criminal liability under existing Philippine laws.
The latest incident marked the fifth public safety-related security scare reported in Cebu in just a matter of days.
On Monday, July 7, Talisay City suspended face-to-face classes at Talisay City Elementary School and Talisay City National High School after a now-deleted Facebook post, allegedly made by an account using the name "Zane Bacalso," threatened to bring a gun onto a school campus and included "condolence" messages directed at students.
Talisay City Mayor Gerald Anthony Gullas Jr. immediately coordinated with the Department of Education Talisay City Division and the Talisay City Police Station to secure both campuses.
Before the Talisay incident, police and school officials in Cebu City also heightened security at Inayawan National High School after another online shooting threat surfaced, prompting authorities to strengthen police visibility and coordinate with school administrators while verifying the credibility of the post.
Days earlier, emergency responders were dispatched to Ayala Malls Central Bloc at Cebu IT Park after authorities received a bomb threat.
The incident prompted the temporary clearing and inspection of portions of the mall before police determined that the threat was a hoax.
Another security alert also targeted Cebu Eastern College after an online shooting threat circulated on social media.