GINGOOG City — A suspect linked to a threatening social media post targeting students and schools in Gingoog City is now in police custody, authorities said Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Mayor Erick Cañosa announced the development during a Facebook livestream, saying police located the suspect in nearby Medina through the efforts of the Gingoog City Police investigation team and the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit in Northern Mindanao.
The threatening post warned students of several schools, including Gingoog Community College (GCC), Christ the King College (CKC), Gingoog Institute (GI), and other elementary schools.
The post threatened students with shooting and stabbing and claimed that the perpetrators had entered school premises.
The threat surfaced a day after the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School on Aug. 18, prompting concern among parents, students and school authorities.
After learning of the post, Cañosa directed city police to investigate. He also ordered the suspension of classes in Gingoog City on Aug. 19 as a precautionary measure.
Another social media post later appeared, criticizing the mayor over the class suspension and containing a threat against him.
City Police Chief Lt. Col. Dennis de los Santos confirmed that police located the person in Medina with assistance from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit and the Cybercrime Group.
The person remains under police custody while authorities conduct further investigation and determine whether charges should be filed.
Authorities have not disclosed the person's identity, age or whether the individual has been formally arrested or was brought in for questioning.
Cañosa urged residents to refrain from posting or making threats, saying these can create fear and anxiety among students, parents and the wider community.
He said the announcement was intended to reassure the public that authorities had acted on the threat.
Police have yet to announce the specific charges, if any, that may be filed.
