ISULAN, Sultan Kudarat — Authorities have ruled out a shooting incident at Isulan National High School after a loud, gunshot-like sound triggered panic among students, teachers and parents Wednesday morning, September 30, prompting an immediate lockdown and a heightened security response inside and around the campus.
The Sultan Kudarat Provincial Police Office (SKPPO), the Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division of Sultan Kudarat, the provincial government and the municipal government of Isulan all issued clarifications as police and other authorities continued investigating the source of the sound.
Based on the latest official statements, no shooting occurred at the school, no ammunition or spent bullet casings were found, and there were no reported casualties or injuries.
Governor Datu Pax Ali S. Mangudadatu said the reported sound was not caused by a firearm and was believed to have been associated with a possible electrical problem.
The provincial government said the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) was conducting an assessment of the possible faulty electrical wiring, while authorities continued securing the school premises.
Gunshot-like sound triggers panic
The incident unfolded at around 10:26 a.m., when a loud sound resembling gunfire was heard within the school vicinity.
The sound immediately caused alarm among students and personnel, with reports of parents rushing toward the school’s gates as information about a possible shooting rapidly circulated, including on social media.
Police personnel responded to the area and began checking the school premises while school officials activated emergency safety measures.
The SKPPO, through Acting Provincial Director PCOL Marvin A. Fontalva, initially described the incident as a reported “alleged shooting” and emphasized that authorities were still verifying what had happened.
In his statement, Fontalva said all teachers and students were safe and that no injuries had been reported. Police coordinated with the school administration and other concerned authorities while securing the area and determining the source of the sound.
The police official also appealed to parents, students, teachers and the public to refrain from circulating unverified reports that could further heighten fear and confusion.
DepEd confirms no shooting
The Schools Division Office of Sultan Kudarat later issued an official statement saying that, based on the initial findings of authorized school authorities and the Isulan Municipal Police Station, no shooting incident occurred at Isulan National High School.
DepEd said the school immediately activated its lockdown procedure after the reported gunfire-like sound.
The emergency response included the implementation of security protocols and communication mechanisms designed to protect learners and personnel while authorities assessed the situation.
DepEd also noted that the response was consistent with safety procedures practiced during the September 18, 2026 Province-Wide Safety Drill, allowing school personnel to immediately implement established emergency measures.
The Schools Division Office said it continues to coordinate with law enforcement and other concerned agencies while validation and investigation of the incident continue.
No ammunition, bullet casings found
Isulan Mayor Bai Rihan Mangudadatu Sakaluran said the school remained under police control as authorities investigated the incident.
According to the information released by local officials, investigators found no empty bullet shells, ammunition or shrapnel in the area where the loud sound was reportedly heard.
This finding further supported the authorities’ initial conclusion that the incident was not a shooting.
Governor Mangudadatu likewise said that all students and teachers were safe and that authorities were already taking appropriate action.
The provincial government said the BFP was assessing a possible electrical wiring problem that may have produced the loud sound.
At this stage, however, authorities have not released a final technical finding identifying the exact source of the sound.
Classes suspended in Barangay Laguilayan
Amid the uncertainty and the need to secure the area, Punong Barangay Jonas Maniago issued Barangay Executive Order No. 03, Series of 2026, ordering the immediate suspension of classes in all public and private schools in Barangay Laguilayan, Isulan.
The suspension took effect at 12:00 noon on September 30 and will remain in place until further notice, pending the assessment of concerned authorities.
The precautionary measure was implemented following the initial report of an alleged shooting near Isulan National High School and was intended to protect students, teachers and school personnel while authorities secured and assessed the area.
The suspension was also anchored on Department of Education guidelines allowing localized class suspensions during emergency situations.
Authorities urge public to rely on verified information
The incident underscored how quickly an unverified report involving a school can trigger widespread alarm, particularly when the sound involved resembles gunfire.
Provincial and municipal officials repeatedly appealed to the public to remain calm and to avoid sharing unverified information, speculation or social media reports that could cause unnecessary panic.
Governor Mangudadatu said there were no confirmed reports of wounded or fatalities connected to the reported incident and assured parents that students and teachers were safe.
The governor urged the public to wait for official announcements from the Isulan Municipal Police Station, the local government and other authorized authorities.
DepEd likewise emphasized that the safety, security and well-being of learners and personnel remain its highest priority.
Investigation continues
While authorities have already clarified that there was no shooting incident, the investigation into the loud sound remains ongoing.
The BFP is assessing the possible electrical wiring issue, while police and local authorities continue verifying the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have also not confirmed reports circulating that the sound may have been caused by firecrackers allegedly set off inside the campus. Such claims remain unverified and should not be treated as established facts.
For now, officials are urging parents, students and residents to rely only on verified announcements from the school, DepEd, SKPPO, Isulan Municipal Police Station, the local government and other authorized agencies.
The immediate security response, lockdown and precautionary class suspension were implemented not because a shooting was confirmed, but to ensure that the school community remained protected while authorities determined what caused the alarming sound.
Isulan National High School is an established public secondary school in Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, and is listed by DepEd as School ID 304590.
The latest official position remains clear: no shooting, no reported injuries or fatalities, and no ammunition or spent shells found at the school. The source of the loud sound remains subject to official assessment.