SOUTH COTABATO — Authorities have arrested three individuals, including two minors, over social media posts allegedly containing threats or displaying firearms amid heightened public concern following the shooting incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.
The arrests involved two 16-year-old minors in Barangay Lamian, Surallah, and an 18-year-old student in Tupi, South Cotabato, authorities said.
The two minors in Surallah were reportedly taken into custody after allegedly posting threatening messages on social media related to the recent shooting at Banga National High School.
South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said authorities are conducting a deeper investigation into the online posts to determine their source, context and the actual intentions behind the messages.
In a separate incident in Tupi, an 18-year-old student was arrested on an Alarm and Scandal complaint after allegedly uploading a photograph on social media showing him holding what appeared to be a firearm.
The photograph was reportedly seen on a social media account identified as “Mj Sulaiman,” prompting authorities to intervene. Police are continuing to determine the origin and legal status of the firearm shown in the photograph.
Viral firearm video traced to July birthday gathering
Meanwhile, police authorities in Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, located three individuals who appeared in a viral video showing people handling what appeared to be a firearm.
The video circulated through Messenger on September 19, 2026, at a time when public concern was already heightened because of the recent school shooting in Banga.
Initial investigation, however, established that the video was actually recorded on July 11, 2026, during a birthday gathering in Barangay Villamor, Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, and was not connected to the recent Banga school shooting or intended as a threat related to the school incident.
Two minors, both students of Esperanza National High School, were brought to the Esperanza Municipal Police Station together with their respective parents. The person of legal age was likewise brought to the police station for investigation.
Authorities are still tracing a person identified only by the alias “Mikeng” and the firearm shown in the video to establish the identity of the individual involved and determine the whereabouts of the weapon.
Police urge public to verify viral posts
Police authorities and the provincial government have appealed to the public, particularly young social media users, to exercise greater responsibility when posting, sharing or reacting to information involving firearms and threats.
PBGEN Alan B. Manibog, Regional Director of Police Regional Office 12, urged the public to remain calm and rely on verified information, especially when dealing with viral posts that may create fear or confusion.
He stressed the importance of determining the full context of a post or video before drawing conclusions or sharing it further.
Authorities emphasized that every reported threat is being investigated and that appropriate action will be taken based on established facts and applicable law.
The incidents also underscore the heightened sensitivity surrounding social media activity following the Banga school shooting, where even old or unrelated videos and photographs can quickly circulate and trigger public alarm.
Police continue to investigate the separate incidents to determine whether any criminal violations occurred and to establish the circumstances surrounding the firearms depicted in the posts and video.