19/07/2026
| Virac MPS to reinforce campus security amid online threat; initial probe findings relayed
The Virac Municipal Police Station (MPS) will deploy police personnel to Catanduanes National High School (CNHS) beginning Monday, July 20, following the circulation of an unverified online threat targeting students.
During a coordination meeting with the school administration, Virac Chief of Police Kenneth Ding Gutierrez said five to six police officers will be stationed on campus for as long as necessary.
The deployment follows the circulation on the evening of July 18 of a screenshot containing an alleged threat against Grade 7 and Grade 8 students.
HEIGHTENED SECURITY MEASURES
The police deployment complements strengthened campus security protocols as outlined in a school memorandum dated July 15, 2026.
Under the directive, all students are required to wear their school identification cards and prescribed uniforms (Junior High School and Senior High School) while inside the campus.
Students who fail to comply will not be allowed entry to the campus.
Teaching and non-teaching personnel are likewise required to wear the prescribed Department of Education (DepEd) uniform from Monday to Thursday and display their school identification cards at all times.
Meanwhile, visitors must present a valid government-issued or company identification card to the guard on duty in exchange for an official Visitor's ID, which must remain visibly worn throughout their stay on campus.
ENTRY INSPECTION PROTOCOLS
Moreover, all students and personnel entering the campus will undergo stricter bag inspections and security screening through physical pat-downs.
To ensure propriety, the school administration said female police officers will conduct inspections of female students, while male security personnel will screen male students.
The procedures will be implemented uniformly across all grade levels and academic programs.
INITIAL FINDINGS
Meanwhile during the coordination meeting, representatives of the Virac MPS said the individual believed to own the social media account identified as "Nate Nate" reported on July 18 to the police station that the account had allegedly been hacked prior to the circulation of the threat.
Police added that the 21-year-old student from a local public university voluntarily surrendered a mobile phone for digital forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Catanduanes Police Provincial Office (PPO) also warned that individuals found responsible for making threats that endanger public safety may face appropriate criminal charges, including grave threats and possible violations of the Cybercrime Prevention Act, depending on the results of the investigation.
Story by the Executive Board, with reports from Maria Andrea Cardano
