On Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, three local governments across Cebu acted to protect students after campus security threats forced two high schools to suspend face-to-face classes and prompted Minglanilla to distribute security gear to 26 public schools.
Lut-od National High School in Pinamungajan canceled classes after receiving a shooting threat, while Mactan National High School in Lapu-Lapu City suspended in-person classes through Wednesday, Aug. 26, after a threatening message appeared in a private group chat.
Mactan National High School shifted to modular learning, identified the student who posted the message, and coordinated with the PNP Cybercrime Unit, while Minglanilla Mayor Lheslen Enad distributed metal detectors and batons to school security personnel.
THREE local governments across Cebu acted quickly on Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, to protect students and teachers after a wave of security threats hit area campuses. The safety concerns forced two high schools to suspend face-to-face classes, while another municipality issued new protective gear to guards across dozens of public schools.
The sudden actions come as parents, local leaders, and police work together to keep children safe following recent incidents involving students.
Class suspensions
At Lut-od National High School in Pinamungajan, school leaders cleared the campus and canceled all classes on Monday morning after receiving a shooting threat. Acting Principal Maribel Cabatuan said the school immediately reached out to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the threat and review overall campus safety.
Local police and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development office are also investigating an earlier incident reported at the school on Aug. 20. Cabatuan stressed that the administration's top priority remains student and staff safety while they work to minimize interruptions to learning.
Meanwhile, Mactan National High School in Lapu-Lapu City suspended in-person classes through Wednesday, Aug. 26, after a threatening message was shared in a private group chat. Students shifted to distance and modular learning, receiving study materials in class group chats to complete before returning to campus on Thursday, Aug. 27.
School officials coordinated with local police and sent the account details to the PNP Cybercrime Unit for investigation. The school noted that it has already identified the student who allegedly posted the message, and urged parents, students, and staff to stay calm and avoid sharing unverified rumors.
New rules and security gear introduced
To protect returning students, Mactan National High School is tightening campus entry checks and encouraging students to use transparent backpacks. Teachers, school personnel, parent-teacher association officers, and local barangay representatives will undergo security training and learn emotional debriefing skills to help students navigate stress. Parents will also join special safety meetings to discuss preventive steps.
In Minglanilla, the municipal government took proactive measures by distributing metal detectors and batons to security personnel across 26 public schools. Mayor Lheslen Enad explained that the tools were handed out to address growing parent concerns over campus safety.
“These may be simple tools, but this is only part of the many steps we are taking to keep our teachers and students feel secure,” Mayor Enad said.
What happens next
As police continue their investigations into the threats, local officials and school administrators are making it clear that safety comes first. With cybersecurity teams tracking online messages, security guards equipped with new tools, and schools adopting trauma-informed support, local leaders hope to restore peace of mind for families as classes prepare to resume later in the week. ABC/DPC/ANV