Police launched an investigation after a shooting threat targeting a private school in Cebu City was posted on Facebook, prompting heightened security measures and a campus inspection on Thursday, July 2.
Authorities initially received a report at about 10 a.m. regarding an alleged bomb threat at Cebu Eastern College on Leon Kilat Street.
However, after verifying the report and coordinating with school officials, investigators determined that the incident involved a shooting threat posted in a Facebook group rather than a bomb threat.
Police and emergency responders immediately implemented heightened security measures and coordinated with the school’s administrators. A thorough threat assessment was conducted to ensure the safety of students, teachers and school personnel.
Following an inspection of the campus, authorities found no imminent threat or suspicious objects inside the school.
Police Col. Franco Rudolf Oriol, deputy city director for administration of the Cebu City Police Office, said authorities thoroughly searched classrooms, other school facilities and even checked students during the operation.
Oriol said officers did not recover any knives, firearms or other weapons during the inspection.
Police recommended the temporary suspension of classes as a precautionary measure. However, school administrators decided to continue regular classroom activities.
According to Oriol, the identity of the individual who posted the threat on Facebook has already been referred to the police cybercrime unit for further investigation.
The school administration also plans to coordinate with the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the incident.
Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the person behind the Facebook post is a student, as the investigation remains ongoing.
Oriol said appropriate criminal charges will be filed against whoever is found responsible for the threat, adding that legal action is intended to serve as a warning and discourage similar incidents in the future.
