PNP urges calm amid rise in school threats

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday reported an increase in threats targeting schools but said many of the incidents appear to be hoaxes intended to disrupt classes or prevent examinations from pushing through.

PNP spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co urged the public to remain calm, stay alert, and refrain from spreading unverified information that could trigger unnecessary fear.

“We noticed that there is an increase of threats that are being done, particularly bomb threats. Some are just trying to avoid going to school or maybe taking an exam,” Co said.

He advised the public to immediately report any threat or suspicious information to authorities and avoid sharing unconfirmed reports on social media or other platforms.

“One of the most important things is for us not to share unverified information as it only amplifies the fear of the public,” he added.

Despite the increase in reported threats, Co said the PNP has strengthened coordination with school officials, local government units, and other stakeholders to ensure the safety of students and school personnel.

He noted that the close collaboration has already helped avert potential security incidents in several areas.

Among the cases cited were operations in Iloilo, Aparri, and Mandaluyong, where authorities recovered illegal drugs, firearms, and bladed weapons from students or within school premises before any serious incident occurred.

“As a matter of fact, our cooperation and close coordination with school authorities have already borne fruit. There were some instances where we were able to prevent would-be or potential incidents,” Co said.

The PNP reiterated its appeal for the public to remain vigilant and immediately coordinate with law enforcement authorities whenever they receive information about possible threats against schools or other public places.