DepEd: Bomb threats, deadly weapons may lead to student exclusion

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday warned that bomb threats and bringing deadly weapons into schools could lead to student exclusion, following reports of alleged attacks in several schools nationwide.

“We need to take these threats seriously because if it is true, we cannot risk continuation of classes,” Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara told reporters in Filipino during an interview.

This comes after false reports of a shooting incident at the Bagong Silangan High School in Quezon City circulated online and alerted authorities.

“The alarming messages circulating on Messenger regarding an alleged threat to our students are false and are currently being investigated by the appropriate authorities,” the school said in a statement.

“Early this morning, a malicious wave of disinformation spread rapidly online, causing understandable fear and anxiety among parents and guardians,” it added. “We categorically affirm that no untoward incident or security breach occurred within the school premises.”

A separate online shooting threat sent by an unidentified individual to a DepEd Facebook Page on Monday also caused Batangas City Integrated High School to suspend classes.

“We’re taking all threats seriously; there was one in Batangas a few days ago, and today in Bagong Silangan,” Mr. Angara said.

The DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), establishes a three-level learner discipline framework based on the severity of their actions.

Under the first level of offense, minors who uttered profanities on school premises, vandalized school premises, engaged in disruptive behavior, or shared false information that created confusion or commotion in the school could face a written reprimand, a summons to parents, and suspension.

For second-level offenses, stalking, inflicting slight physical injuries, theft, intimidation, and harassment can lead to penalties of mandatory suspensions, non-readmission, and exclusion.

The “most egregious violations” are reserved for third-level offenses, including hazing, homicide, murder, and sexual assault. Making bomb threats or jokes, and bringing deadly weapons to school or school-sanctioned activities also fall under this category.

Other offenses identified were participation in street gangs; cheating during exams; inflicting serious physical injuries, whether inside or outside the school; bringing illegal drugs and liquor; acts of lasciviousness; and sharing demeaning and sexual videos.

Penalties for third-level offenses mandate non-readmission or exclusion, along with automatic referral to law enforcement and other appropriate government agencies.

A learner who received a non-readmission will be allowed to finish the current school year but will no longer be accepted for enrollment the following year. Meanwhile, the exclusion penalty orders schools to immediately drop the student from the class list; however, they may continue learning through appropriate educational interventions.

“Through this comprehensive framework, DepEd seeks to cultivate an inclusive, protective, and accountable institutional culture across the country’s basic education system,” the agency said in a news release. — Almira Louise S. Martinez