MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon — Classes at the Bukidnon National High School (BNHS) Senior High School Campus and Casisang Integrated Elementary School were suspended on Monday, October 26, following an online threat to shoot a female senior high school teacher and a warning of a possible attack on the campus.
The threat reportedly came from an unidentified account through a group chat on Sunday, October 25. The sender allegedly warned that they would arrive at the school at around 9 a.m. the following day and carry out a shooting targeting a teacher they claimed to hate.
According to reports, the account also sent images of two firearms and a fully loaded magazine, heightening concerns over the credibility of the threat and the safety of students, teachers, and other school personnel.
The threat prompted local authorities to strengthen security measures around the affected schools as concerns grew over the possibility of violence. The class suspension was implemented as a precautionary measure to protect the school community while authorities worked to establish the source and seriousness of the threat.
Casisang Barangay Captain Gregorio “Digs” Jaroy said local officials were closely monitoring the areas inside and outside the school premises to prevent any untoward incident. Despite the suspension of classes, members of the Barangay Public Safety Office (BPSO) remained on the ground alongside police personnel.
Police officers under the leadership of PLtCol. Ariel Philip Pontillas were also involved in the security response, according to the information provided by local authorities.
The incident has already been recorded in a police blotter, while the Malaybalay City Police’s anti-cybercrime unit continues efforts to trace the account allegedly used to send the threats and identify the person responsible.
Authorities have yet to publicly establish the identity of the sender or confirm whether the individual possesses the firearms shown in the images. The threat remains under investigation.
The incident underscores the risks posed by online threats directed at schools, particularly when messages include a specific time for a potential attack and images purporting to show weapons. Such threats warrant prompt assessment and coordination among school officials, law enforcement, and local authorities, even before the identity or intentions of the sender are established.
For now, the suspension of classes and the continued presence of security personnel form part of the precautionary response as investigators work to determine whether the threat was credible and who was behind it.