Police confirm no shooting happened at Quezon City school
A supposed shooting at a school in Quezon City sparked concern online, but authorities have confirmed that the report was false.
Numerous posts on Facebook have alleged that a shooting incident took place at an unidentified school in Barangay Bagong Silangan. However, in a statement, the Quezon City Police District said that they have investigated the scene and found that no shooting happened.
According to them, the Payatas Bagong Silangan Police Station, led by PLTCOL Rowena Amata were attending a scheduled meeting with the school administration on July 2 when they heard a "loud commotion from the second floor of the school building" at 9:00 a.m.
"Further assessment revealed that the students heard a loud banging sound coming from a nearby construction site, which was mistakenly perceived as a gunshot," the QCPD detailed.
"Police verification confirmed that the sound came from ongoing construction activities in the area and that no shooting incident occurred," they continued.
The situation has been declared safe and under control, and normal school activities have resumed. There were also no injuries or untoward incidents reported.
The QCPD urged the public to "avoid sharing unverified information on social media, as this may cause unnecessary fear and panic."
"We encourage everyone to verify information through official government and law enforcement channels before sharing," they stressed.
The incident comes after a series of reports involving students committing violence have been made in the past month.
On June 22, a deadly shooting incident took place in San Jose National High School in Tacloban, where two minors, 15 and 14, went from classroom to classroom shooting at students and teachers. Three students were killed while several others were injured.
Both suspects were arrested on the same day of the shooting. The 15-year-old, who police have found to have "acted with discernment," is facing a criminal complaint. Along with his 14-year-old accomplice, he will undergo an intervention program carried out by the Department of Social Welfare and Development.
The next day, a 17-year-old Grade 10 student stabbed a Grade 9 student in San Carlos City, Negros, outside school premises. Police reported the victim was injured in the lower right side of his abdomen and was immediately brought to the hospital for treatment. The suspect was arrested shortly after the attack.
On June 25, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police intercepted a planned shooting and stabbing attack against Tolosa National High School in Leyte. A potential shooting plot was also foiled in Cavite.
The latest incident in this string of school-related violence took place in Zamboanga City on July 2, where a Grade 11 student stabbed and injured two classmates who supposedly bullied him. All three are reported to be in stable condition.