Teen caught behind threats against school teachers in Cebu City

Local

POLICE have identified the person behind the social media threats targeting teachers and the principal of Inayawan National High School in Cebu City.

Investigators confirmed that the posts were made by a 13-year-old former student of the school.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) announced on Sunday, July 5, that the minor admitted posting the threatening messages following a cyber investigation launched by the Inayawan Police Station.

The development comes two days after Cebu City officials warned they would file criminal charges against individuals responsible for posting bomb or shooting threats online, following a series of incidents that triggered emergency responses and heightened security concerns across the city.

According to the CCPO, investigators immediately traced the social media account after messages threatening Grade 7 and Grade 8 teachers and the school principal circulated online.

Through cyber investigation, intelligence gathering, and coordination with concerned stakeholders, police identified the account owner and invited the minor to Police Station 7 on the evening of July 5 for an interview.

The 13-year-old, who was accompanied by his mother, admitted posting the threats and personally accessed the social media account used in the incident through his cellular phone, police said.

The interview was conducted in the presence of the child's mother, the Barangay Inayawan Gender and Development (GAD) focal person, and an assistant investigator from the Women and Children Protection Desk to ensure that legal safeguards for minors were observed.

Police did not disclose whether criminal charges would be filed, but said the case would undergo the appropriate intervention procedures applicable to children in conflict with the law.

CCPO Director Col. Ricky Sumalde said authorities treat every online threat as a legitimate public safety concern, regardless of whether it ultimately proves to be a hoax.

"This incident demonstrates the capability and commitment of our police investigators to promptly identify individuals who use social media to spread threats and fear. We want the public to know that there is accountability in cyberspace," Sumalde said.

"While this case involves a minor and appropriate intervention will be undertaken, it also serves as a strong reminder that posting threats online is never a joke and carries serious legal consequences," he added.

The threat against Inayawan National High School was reported last week after a teacher alerted authorities about a social media post threatening to shoot teachers handling specific grade levels as well as the school principal.

The incident prompted an investigation by Police Station 7 and added to growing concerns over a string of online threats reported in Cebu City.

Just a day earlier, authorities conducted hours-long search and clearing operations at a mall in Cebu IT Park after receiving a bomb threat through social media.

The threat was later declared a hoax after police, bomb experts, K-9 units, firefighters, emergency medical teams, and disaster responders inspected the premises.

Earlier, police also investigated an online shooting threat involving Cebu Eastern College after an initial report of a bomb threat was determined to have originated from a Facebook post threatening violence.

City Councilor Dave Tumulak, chairman of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, has repeatedly reminded the public that every threat, whether genuine or false, requires the mobilization of police and emergency responders, disrupts public services, creates fear among residents, and consumes significant government resources.

Police likewise urged the public to refrain from posting threatening or false statements on social media, warning that individuals responsible for such posts may still face legal consequences even when intended as a prank.(TGP)