Another threat, Another class suspension: Another school in La Trinidad shifts to flexible learning

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Another school in La Trinidad, Benguet has suspended face-to-face classes following an unverified online threat, as education officials warned that perpetrators cannot escape legal or disciplinary consequences by claiming their threatening posts were merely jokes or pranks.

Cordillera Regional High School (CRHS) announced on Wednesday afternoon, October 28, that it would temporarily shift to flexible learning on October 29 and 30 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and school personnel.

Under the arrangement, teachers will provide instructions, learning materials, and activities through modular, online, or blended learning. Students with limited access to online platforms will be given alternative learning arrangements.

The school administration said it had activated its safety protocols and coordinated with the La Trinidad Municipal Police Station (MPS), the municipal government, and the Schools Division Office (SDO) of Benguet.

The school, through its Child Protection Committee (CPC), is also working with authorities to assess the situation and implement appropriate safety measures.

CRHS reiterated the warning contained in Benguet SDO Memorandum No. 456, series of 2026, issued on October 27, stressing that claiming a threatening post was merely a joke or prank does not exempt the responsible individual from legal or disciplinary consequences.

“Learners shall be guided to understand that claiming that a post was merely a joke or a prank does not automatically excuse the act from legal or disciplinary consequences,” the division memorandum stated.

The memorandum also cited several laws that may apply, depending on the nature, content, circumstances, and intent of the act.

These include the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 (Republic Act No. 10175) for applicable cyber offenses; the Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815) for threats and related offenses; Republic Act No. 9516 concerning explosives and related offenses; and the Anti-Bullying Act of 2013 (RA No. 10627), particularly in cases involving cyberbullying.

Other relevant regulations and school policies may also be enforced, subject to the determination of liability by authorities and observance of due process.

CRHS is now the second school in La Trinidad to suspend in-person classes following online threats.

Earlier, San Jose School of La Trinidad, Inc. shifted to online or at-home learning from October 27 to 30 after shooting threats circulated on social media.

Although the threatening post was later claimed to be a prank, the incident prompted heightened security measures. The La Trinidad MPS, together with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team and K-9 unit, conducted inspections of classrooms, lockers, and other areas within the school premises.

Meanwhile, other police personnel continued efforts to trace the source of the threatening post.

Investigators have yet to establish whether the threats against the two schools are connected.