Bomb threat that disrupted classes in Bacolod City school a hoax

INQUIRER FILES BACOLOD CITY — The police cleared a public school in Barangay Pahanocoy here on Tuesday afternoon, July 21, following a bomb threat that turned out to be a hoax. Police clearance came after a sweep of the Mariano G. Medalla Integrated School yielded negative results for explosives, the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) reported. Article continues after this advertisement Responding personnel from BCPO Police Station 8 (PS8), led by Officer-in-Charge Maj. Rondyl Tapang, arrived on campus shortly after receiving the report at around 12:30 p.m. Tuesday. READ: Pateros extends class suspension to Tuesday due to reported bomb threats An Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Canine Unit using a trained bomb-detection K9 systematically inspected all four school buildings. Following the clearance, OIC Principal Maria Cecelia G. Bergantin suspended classes for the day. An investigation is ongoing to trace the origin of the threat, the BCPO said. Article continues after this advertisement The alleged bomb threat at Mariano G. Medalla Integrated School was reported through a 911 call, Bacolod Mayor Greg Gasataya said. “The City of Bacolod condemns this malicious attempt to incite fear and panic in our educational institutions. We maintain our position of non-tolerance for any act that threatens the safety of our students and educators,” the mayor said. Article continues after this advertisement The city government remains in close coordination with the BCPO as they conduct a thorough investigation to identify the source of the false threat, he said. To proactively improve security, the city government has prepared the installation of handheld and walk-through metal detectors in all elementary and secondary schools, he added. Alongside the equipment, police personnel have also conducted security briefings and emergency protocol symposia for school officials, teachers, and students to ensure threat preparedness, Gasataya said. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. “The City shall enforce all necessary measures to ensure our schools remain secure environments for learning,” he added. /mr