Amid spate of school threats, Cebu City turns to parents to keep campuses safe

Local

AUTHORITIES in Cebu City are considering a ‘community-based’ intervention involving parents, schools and communities to prevent bomb and shooting hoaxes from disrupting classes.

On Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, at least seven schools in the upland barangays have been the target of the latest string of school security threats, Councilor Dave Tumulak confirmed.

Police have linked the threats to minors using fake social media accounts, which sparked panic among parents, with some rushing to schools to fetch their children.

The campuses were later cleared and declared safe, and classes resumed the same day after authorities found no credible threat.

“The police and CCDRMO (Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office) are on top of it and we the school authorities conducted the investigation,” Tumulak said.

Initial findings indicate that the threats were posted through fake social media accounts allegedly created by minors.

Because those allegedly involved are children, Tumulak said the council is not inclined to pass another ordinance, noting that existing laws already provide mechanisms for handling children in conflict with the law.

Instead, the city plans to strengthen preventive measures at the community level.

Authorities are urging parents to closely monitor their children's online activities after investigators traced several threatening posts to social media.

Barangay officials have also been asked to work with schools in their communities by conducting consultations and helping identify potential concerns before they escalate.

“We encourage also the parents teachers association (PTA) to conduct meetings among parents and meetings and among with students to address mga complaints gikan sa mga bata to address this kind of issue,” added Tumulak.

Wednesday's incident marked the sixth reported case of school threat hoaxes in Cebu since July. It also came just days after the municipality of Consolacion suspended classes in eight public schools following similar threats.(RBE)