CAGAYAN de Oro City — Parents and students in Cagayan de Oro are being urged to verify school threat reports before sharing them online, as police found that some posts circulating on social media had been cropped, edited and reposted from other areas.
Police Major Emelita Simeon, spokesperson of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (COCPO), said initial investigation showed that some threat-related posts were not originally intended for schools in the city but were altered to appear as local threats.
“Ga-copy paste ra, gina-crop,” Simeon said during a press conference for the launch of the Higalaay Festival.
Despite the findings, police are treating the reports seriously and have increased security measures around schools across the city.
Police personnel have been visiting schools and holding dialogues with administrators, teachers, parents and students to address concerns and reassure communities that security personnel remain on alert.
“We are visiting schools and conducting dialogues to assure parents and guardians that the safety of learners remains our priority,” Simeon said.
What parents should do
Police warned the public against immediately forwarding or reposting unverified screenshots and messages.
False or misleading information can trigger unnecessary fear among students, parents and school personnel, while making it harder for authorities to identify credible threats.
Simeon said tracing the original source of the posts remains difficult because online investigations require technical expertise.
“It is very challenging on our part because this is highly technical,” she said.
COCPO has coordinated with the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to trace the origin of the posts, identify those responsible for spreading false information and determine whether criminal charges may be appropriate.
Threats should still be reported
Lapasan Barangay Chairman Julito Ogsimer said residents should not dismiss threat reports simply because some circulating posts were found to be manipulated.
Ogsimer recently suspended classes in some schools in his barangay after threat-related information circulated in the community.
“Dili gyud ni siya angay tiaw-tiawan,” he said.
He said he trusts the police investigation and noted that the matter has also reached the Department of Education at the national level.
Ogsimer called for a thorough investigation to establish the credibility and source of the reported threats.
For parents and students, police advice remains straightforward: Do not panic, do not spread unverified posts, and report suspicious information directly to authorities.
Simeon urged the public to verify school-related alerts through official government and law enforcement channels before sharing them online.
COCPO will continue monitoring schools and social media platforms as authorities work to prevent genuine threats and maintain a safe learning environment.
The police assurance comes amid heightened concern among parents following the circulation of screenshots and social media posts alleging threats against schools in Cagayan de Oro.
