Authorities have prevented a possible school attack in Leyte after Senator Bam Aquino alerted the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) about an online threat circulating days after the deadly shooting in Tacloban City.
During a press briefing, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Aquino personally called him on Wednesday evening to relay information about reports of another potential mass attack in the province.
“At 8 o’clock PM last night, Senator Bam Aquino called me. He gave me a tip na sabi niya may chatter daw sa Tacloban na meron pang isang impending mass shooting na mangyayari sa Leyte,” Remulla said.
Acting on the information, Remulla said he immediately referred the matter to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), which launched an investigation.
Authorities later determined that the threat was directed at Tolosa National High School in Leyte.
According to the CIDG report, the suspect was allegedly planning a mass shooting or stabbing targeting students of the school.
Investigators traced the threatening posts to a 14-year-old Grade 10 student who allegedly created multiple Facebook accounts and posted messages warning of a possible attack.
One of the posts, translated into English, warned students to “prepare” for a shooting or stabbing incident and claimed that the attack could happen at any time.
The messages quickly spread on social media, causing alarm among students, parents, and residents.
“The investigation revealed that she created multiple Facebook accounts to disseminate this content, which spread rapidly across social media, alarming students, parents, and the public,” Remulla said.
Authorities identified the student through social media analysis and information provided by concerned individuals. Investigators said the student later deleted the posts after being contacted by authorities.
Despite the alarming nature of the messages, the CIDG found no evidence that the student had access to firearms or that there was an organized plot involving other individuals.
“The threat appears to be neutralized and inactive. No evidence of an organized plan or involvement of others was found, and neither she nor her family had access to firearms,” Remulla said, citing the investigation.
Authorities are also looking into whether the student may have been influenced by the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City earlier this week.
“It is possible that she was influenced by a recent shooting at San Jose National High School,” Remulla added.
The student remains with her family while authorities continue their investigation.
Remulla urged the public to immediately report any threats or discussions involving violence, emphasizing that early reporting was crucial in preventing possible harm.
“Kung may makita po kayo na kahit anong threat or imminent threat or chatter sa mga group discussions na merong gustong gawing mass shooting or violence to be inflicted, please call 911 and inform right away,” he said.
“Any threat is considered live until it is neutralized.”
