BATANGAS SCHOOL SUSPENDS CLASSES AMID THREATS

THE Batangas City Integrated High School (BCIHS) formerly Batangas National High School (BNHS) on Monday suspended classes and on-site activities until further notice following reported stabbing and shooting threats, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 4A  said.

According to DepEd Region 4A, a dummy account on Facebook sent a message to the BCIHS page on Sunday threatening to stab and shoot students in Grades 7, 8, 9, and 10.

In the message, the sender identified himself/herself as a Grade 10 student who was bullied by classmates. 

The DepEd Schools Division of Batangas City said the suspension serves  as a precautionary measure, stressing that the safety and security of learners and educators are their highest priority. 

“The precautionary measure is being implemented to ensure the safety and security of all learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel, parents, and other members of the school community,” the DepEd said in a statement. 

The public is advised not to enter or proceed to the school premises during the suspension period. 

DepEd Region 4-A shared that the BCIHS school administration is closely coordinating with the appropriate law enforcement authorities to address and resolve the threats.  

It added that the resumption of classes will be announced “as soon as the situation has been properly addressed and the safety of the school community has been ensured.”

Meanwhile, DepEd urged the public to be vigilant and report to the school administration or to the police any suspicious messages, accounts, activities, or information involving the school.

Learners, parents, and BCIHS personnel were also told to refrain from spreading unverified information and seek announcements released through the school’s official online and offline channels and platforms.