Boy, 13, former student, tagged in Inayawan school shooting threat

CEBU CITY, Philippines — A 13-year-old former student of Inayawan National High School, who admitted posting an online shooting threat targeting the school, will undergo assessment, intervention, and rehabilitation after school officials declined to pursue charges against him.

The minor, a boy, was turned over to the Cebu City Social Welfare Services (SWS) following an investigation by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and Inayawan Police Station, which led to his identification and admission of involvement.

READ: PNP urges public to verify reports amid rise in school threats

Minor admits making threat

According to the CCPO, investigators launched an investigation after a social media post threatening teachers and school officials of Inayawan National High School circulated online.

Through cyber investigation, intelligence gathering, and coordination with concerned stakeholders, police identified the person behind the account and invited him to Inayawan Police Station on the evening of Sunday, July 5, for a formal interview.

The CCPO said the 13-year-old former student voluntarily admitted posting the threatening messages and personally accessed the social media account used in the incident through his cellular phone, confirming his involvement.

READ: Tacloban school shooter shot his best friend in the back

Police said the interview was conducted in the presence of the minor’s mother, the Barangay Inayawan Gender and Development (GAD) focal person, and the assistant investigator of the Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) to ensure that the legal safeguards for a child in conflict with the law were observed.

No charges to be filed

According to the CCPO, school officials and teachers later manifested that they would no longer pursue criminal or civil charges against the minor.

In accordance with existing child protection laws and protocols, the boy was turned over to the City Social Welfare Services for appropriate assessment, intervention, and rehabilitation.

READ: Tacloban school shooting suspects under intensive interventions – DSWD

Investigation stemmed from online threat

The case stemmed from a reported shooting threat circulated on social media targeting Inayawan National High School.

Earlier, Cebu City Councilor Dave Tumulak said a teacher forwarded to authorities a screenshot of a social media post threatening to shoot teachers and school officials inside the campus.

The message contained explicit threats directed at the school’s teachers, particularly those handling Grades 7 and 8, as well as the school principal.

The school’s faculty subsequently reported the incident to Inayawan Police Station, where it was entered into the police blotter for investigation.

READ: DSWD-8: Younger suspect in Tacloban shooting not criminally liable

Heightened school security

Before the minor was identified, CCPO City Director Police Colonel Ricky Sumalde led a coordination meeting with Barangay Inayawan officials, the principal of Inayawan National High School, police commanders, and other concerned officials to assess the credibility of the reported threat and strengthen coordination among police, barangay officials, and school authorities.

Police, barangay officials, and school authorities also agreed to intensify police visibility around the campus, strengthen information sharing, and sustain close inter-agency coordination in responding to potential security concerns.

The CCPO said it would continue coordinating with school officials and local government authorities while maintaining heightened security measures to help ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school personnel.

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