Culture & Entertainment · Philippines Bureau
Balloon-popping classroom activity triggers false alarm at Bohol university
A routine educational activity at Holy Name University in Tagbilaran City resulted in a security scare Thursday evening when burst balloons were mistaken for gunfire. Police responded to campus following reports of a shooting incident.
LSN Philippines ·
TAGBILARAN CITY — Authorities in Bohol responded to a false alarm at Holy Name University (HNU) in Barangay Dampas after a classroom balloon-popping exercise was reported as gunfire, police said Friday.
Tagbilaran City Police received the shooting report on Thursday evening, September 24, prompting officers to conduct an immediate security sweep of the university campus. Officers found no evidence of any shooting incident or weapons on the premises.
Investigations revealed that the loud noises that triggered the alarm originated from balloons being burst as part of a classroom activity. The confusion highlighted how acoustic events in confined spaces can be easily misinterpreted, particularly in institutional settings where security concerns are heightened.
No injuries or damages were reported from the incident. Police urged residents and students to report any unusual activities while noting the importance of accurately identifying the source of suspicious sounds before contacting authorities.