Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) has strongly condemned an alleged threat to attack Leyte National High School (LNHS) in this city, prompting authorities to tighten security at Eastern Visayas' largest secondary school.

According to Philippines News Agency, DepEd Tacloban Schools Division Superintendent Sherlita Palma emphasized that such acts are irresponsible, unlawful, and undermine the safe learning environment that every learner and education worker deserves. Palma stated, "Threats against schools, whether made in person or through digital platforms, are treated with utmost seriousness and are immediately subjected to established security and legal protocols."

The statement was released after school authorities received an online message on Monday night containing an alleged shooting threat targeting the campus, which accommodates nearly 9,000 students. LNHS Principal Bayani Adona promptly reported the incident to the Philippine National Police (PNP) for appropriate law enforcement action. The case was also referred to the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit to identify those responsible for the online threat.

Despite the threat, school officials did not suspend face-to-face classes on Tuesday, following coordination with the PNP and other concerned authorities. Palma assured, "Sufficient measures have been put in place to ensure the safety and protection of our learners, teachers, and school personnel. Immediately following the report, a strong police presence, including uniformed police officers and members of the Special Weapons and Tactics team, was deployed to secure the school premises and maintain peace and order."

DepEd reassured learners, parents, school personnel, and the public that the situation remains under control and that authorities continue to monitor developments closely. The alleged threat surfaced nearly a month after a shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured.