The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has described the series of online bomb threats and security warnings targeting schools in recent weeks as isolated incidents, with no evidence of an organized group behind them.
Police Investigation Finds No Connection
Police Lieutenant Colonel Franco Rodulf Oriol, deputy director for administration at CCPO, stated that the police received six threats involving schools and business establishments. Despite the consecutive incidents, investigations have found no evidence linking the threats or suggesting they were planned by an organized group. Instead, authorities believe the incidents are motivated by personal reasons.
The most recent online threat concerned Inayawan National High School (INHS), reported on July 3. Oriol revealed that the suspect is a 13-year-old minor. The investigation was conducted in the presence of the child's parents, barangay officials, and school administrators.
Minor Admits Threat Due to Resentment
According to Oriol, the minor admitted that the threat was made out of resentment. “This is one example showing that these online threats appear to be motivated by personal reasons rather than terrorism or organized criminal activity,” Oriol said.
Because the suspect is a minor, INHS coordinated with the Department of Education to determine whether the child's parents should face civil or criminal charges. After the investigation, the minor was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Services (DSWS) and the Gender and Development (GAD) focal person assigned to Inayawan.
Parents Held Accountable
As of Monday, Oriol said the DSWS had not yet completed the intervention program for the minor and his parents. He emphasized that parents must be accountable for managing their children, especially when their actions endanger schools and the community.
Police Major Marvin Fegarido, head of the CCPO Community Relations Section, said the police continue to work with Parents-Teachers Associations (PTAs) to educate parents on responsible child management and crime prevention. He added that maintaining school safety should not be left solely to the police.
Call for Community Collaboration
The CCPO urged schools to strengthen collaboration with security guards, volunteers, and community members, while the police will continue to oversee overall campus security.
