• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Following a string of online security threats targeting educational institutions across the Negros Island Region, the Police Regional Office-NIR is appealing to parents to monitor their children’s social media activities and refrain from spreading unverified information.
The advisory was issued after Luisa Medel National High School in Bacolod became the latest campus to receive a threatening message, sent to its official Facebook page, July 7.
This marks the third online security threat received by schools in the region in a week, closely following similar scares at the University of St. La Salle in Bacolod and a bomb threat at Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
“PRO-NIR reminds the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and rely only on official announcements from the Philippine National Police and concerned school authorities,” the police said.
The dissemination of false information or fabricated threats causes unnecessary alarm, disrupts school operations, and may subject those responsible to appropriate legal action, it added.
PRO-NIR said that, as of press time, investigations were going on to determine the source and credibility of the reported threats.
Meanwhile, the administration of Luisa Medel NHS assured the community that classes and activities will continue under heightened security measures.
The Bacolod Police Station 8 has already conducted an on-site inspection and security assessment around the campus, while more police personnel have been deployed to increase visibility around the school zone.
The case has also been referred to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit for digital forensic investigation to identify the sender of the threat. | TMD
