De La Salle Lipa reports online shooting threat

De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) on Monday has shifted to asynchronous classes and imposed heightened campus security, following alleged ‘mass shooting’ threats online.

“We are aware of information recently circulating regarding campus security; our personnel are on heightened alert, with additional officers strategically deployed across the campus,” the university said in a statement.

“We want our community to know that we are actively taking all necessary steps to ensure that our campus remains a safe and secure space for every Lasallian,” it added.

The school said a thorough bag inspection has been conducted at all entry points and that it is currently coordinating closely with authorities to address the incident.

“We ask for your patience and full cooperation with these procedures, as they are in place for the protection of everyone in our community,” it said. “We are likewise coordinating closely with the Philippine National Police to reinforce our preparedness and response capabilities.”

All classes in DLSL from July 7 to 11 will shift into online synchronous sessions to conduct a thorough review and ensure that every “detail” is accounted for before classes resume onsite.

“This decision was not made lightly. It comes from the same place as everything we do, a deep sense of responsibility for every student, faculty member, and staff entrusted to our care,” the school said in a separate Facebook post.

“We ask for your full cooperation and understanding as we use this time to make our campus even safer for everyone’s return,” it added.

Several school-related threats have emerged since the Tacloban school shooting that killed three students and injured 20 others on June 22. Among these are the foiled school attack threat in Leyte involving a 14-year-old Grade 10 student, and separate shooting threats in Batangas and Negros Occidental provinces. — Almira Louise S. Martinez