Gun threat reported at Biliran state university; no firearm found

TACLOBAN CITY — A female third-year college student at the Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) in Naval was brought to the school’s guidance office on Monday after allegedly threatening to shoot one of her teachers, prompting a quick response from school officials and police.

The incident, reported around 10 a.m., was contained without anyone being hurt, according to BiPSU president Victor Cañezo.

Cañezo said the student allegedly sent a text message to one of her classmates threatening a teacher whom she reportedly described as “bad.”

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READ: Biliran school threat prompts tighter security in Eastern Visayas

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The classmate then informed school authorities, leading officials to identify and immediately bring the student to the guidance office.

“This is an isolated case. The (concerned) student is now with our guidance office,” Cañezo said in a public message, adding that the student’s act was because of a “personal grudge” against the teacher.

He assured students, faculty members, and the public that the situation was under control as classes were not generally disrupted.

Cañezo also clarified that no firearm was found in the student’s possession following the incident.

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He thanked the local police for their immediate response, saying their prompt action helped ensure the safety of the university community.

However, Cañezo said the investigation was still ongoing and that he could not provide additional details while authorities were looking into the circumstances surrounding the reported threat.

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The incident came amid heightened concern over threats and acts of violence in schools in the country, particularly following a series of incidents involving minors.

In Tacloban City, three students were killed, and 20 others were injured in a shooting at San Jose National High School on June 22. The incident involved minors aged 14 and 15.

The shooting prompted renewed calls for schools, parents, local governments and law enforcement agencies to strengthen security measures and address threats of violence involving young people.

Another school-related firearm incident was reported in Catarman, Northern Samar, on Oct. 1, when a 15-year-old Grade 10 student was found allegedly carrying a high-powered firearm inside a school with more than 5,000 students.

READ: Student found carrying firearm inside Northern Samar school

Unlike those incidents, however, Cañezo said no firearm was found in the possession of the BiPSU student involved in Monday’s reported threat.

The latest incident was the second reported threat to hit BiPSU in less than a month.

On Sept. 22, authorities found a threat letter inside the BiPSU Student Center, prompting an investigation.

University officials have not disclosed whether the latest incident was connected to the earlier threat.

READ: Online threats put Eastern Samar, Samar schools on heightened alert

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Cañezo said the university would continue to coordinate with authorities as the investigation into Monday’s incident proceeds./coa