Three South Cotabato students summoned over alleged school shooting threats

Authorities in South Cotabato have summoned three students over alleged threats of a school shooting and posts showing a firearm on social media.

In one of the threats, South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said two 16-year-old students in Barangay Lamian, Surallah town, were sought by police after they posted the alleged threat online on Sunday afternoon. Authorities traced their location and the account used for posting.

“Police are preparing charges against the two minors but are coordinating with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, considering that they were minors,” Tamayo said in a social media post.

Earlier on Sunday in Tupi town, also in South Cotabato, authorities invited an 18-year-old for questioning after he allegedly posted a video showing him carrying an undetermined firearm.

Tamayo said the provincial government is considering filing charges against the boy and his parents.

“Please watch your children, know their activities, even on the internet, so you will know what they are doing and guide them to the right path,” Tamayo said in the vernacular.

Additional school shooting threat

Meanwhile, in Lambayong, Sultan Kudarat, police are also investigating a 13-year-old student from Barangay Mantiompong for allegedly posting online at 1 a.m. Monday that he planned to conduct a shooting inside the Kapingkong National High School.

Police located the child’s home and invited him and his parents to the village hall in Mantiompong for questioning and clarification.

Major Jayson Ortega, Lambayong municipal police chief, said the investigation is ongoing and declined to provide further information. (PNA)