South Cotabato school suspends classes after online threats target teachers

Tampakan National High School in South Cotabato suspended classes on Thursday morning after administrators received reports of threatening messages posted online targeting teachers at the institution. The alleged threats, which referenced potential shooting incidents, prompted immediate action from school officials and local government units concerned about student and staff safety.

Tampakan Mayor Leonard Escobillo coordinated directly with the Department of Education (DepEd) to implement the class suspension at the main public high school serving the municipality. Police personnel were deployed to the campus to enhance security protocols and conduct preliminary investigations into the origin and credibility of the online threats.

The incident underscores growing concerns in Philippine educational institutions regarding online harassment and threats directed at educators. Schools nationwide have increasingly grappled with similar incidents as digital communication platforms enable individuals to post threatening messages with relative anonymity. Authorities in Koronadal City and South Cotabato have not yet released information on whether they have identified suspects or determined the authenticity of the threats.

The DepEd has encouraged schools to report all threatening communications to local law enforcement and maintain coordination with police departments to ensure campus safety. Officials have not announced when classes at Tampakan National High School will resume pending the outcome of the investigation.