Classes at a private school in downtown Cebu City were disrupted on Thursday, July 2, 2026, following what police described as a ‘shooting threat.’
According to the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), it was around 10 a.m. when information about a threat was received.
What surfaced, initially, was an alleged bomb threat but verification showed it was a 'shooting threat' made on social media against students of the school, Cebu Eastern College.
The Carbon Police Station 5 responded immediately.
“Upon receipt of the report, personnel of Carbon Police Station 5, in close coordination with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Team, SWAT, TMRU, CDRRMO, Barangay Pahina Central BPSO, and school authorities, promptly conducted a comprehensive security inspection of the entire school campus to ensure the safety and security of all students, faculty members, and staff,” the station said.
The station said it implemented the following security measures:
- A thorough inspection of the entire campus
- All students entering the school were subjected to security inspection
- Students were temporarily restricted from leaving the campus until the inspection was completed
- Coordination was immediately established with the school administration and School Board
The comprehensive security assessment found no imminent threat or suspicious items at the school.
Classes were allowed to continue.
The police station reminded the public that “making threats, whether online or offline, is a serious offense and will be investigated accordingly.”
“We encourage everyone to remain vigilant, avoid spreading unverified information, and immediately report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station,” it added.
Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival made the same appeal, emphasizing that the safety of students, teachers, and school personnel is the city’s priority.
The mayor urged the public to stay calm and avoid sharing unverified information.
“Atong hangyoon ang tanan nga magpabiling kalmado, likayan ang pagpakaylap og unverified information, ug mosalig lamang sa official advisories gikan sa atong mga awtoridad. Padayon kitang magtinabangay aron mapreserbar ang kaluwasan sa atong komunidad,” the mayor said.
SCHOOL STATEMENT
In a statement, Cebu Eastern College said it is addressing the threat actively and has heightened its security protocols.
"The Administration of Cebu Eastern College, in close coordination with local law enforcement and emergency response agencies, is actively addressing the security threat earlier today, July 2, 2026," it said.
"The matter remains under investigation, and the institution continues to strengthen its security protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of the entire campus community," it said further.
"The Administration wishes to assure the families of our students, employees, and alll stakeholders that everyone within the institution is safe and secure. The safety and security of our community remain our highest priority," it added.
It extended its appreciation to different law enforcement agencies that responded to the incident.
The threat against the school in Cebu City came after threats made against other schools in the country, and the brutal shooting that killed three students and injured several others at a school in Tacloban City. Read story: https://www.gmanetwork.com/regionaltv/news/114608/more-schools-in-r8-get-threats-authorities-assure-security/story/
(With reports from Decemay Padilla, GMA dySS Super Radyo Cebu)
