Iloilo school cancels classes over ‘security concern’

ILOILO CITY  — Hua Siong College of Iloilo (HSCI) has cancelled classes at all levels at its main campus on Iznart Street on Thursday after what school officials described as a “reported security concern.”

The precautionary suspension comes amid heightened concerns over campus security following recent deadly school shootings in Mindanao and Tacloban City.

In an advisory dated Wednesday, HSCI said its main campus would be closed to students for the day to tighten security protocols, conduct a security sweep, and ensure the safety of students and personnel.

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“Please be assured that the situation is under control. We are working closely with the proper authorities and have taken all necessary precautionary measures,” the school said.

HSCI did not disclose the nature of the reported security concern or whether there was a specific threat.

The administration also appealed to parents, students, and the public to refrain from circulating unverified information and to wait for updates through the school’s official channels.

The suspension applies only to the main campus on Iznart Street. Classes at HSCI’s Ledesco campus in La Paz will proceed as scheduled.

Classes at the main campus are expected to resume on Friday, Sept. 25, following the regular schedule.

HSCI academic director Jose B. Barcelona and president Ian Eric S. Pama signed the advisory.

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The precautionary closure comes against the backdrop of a series of shootings that have prompted schools and authorities around the country to reassess campus security.

On Sept. 18, a shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato left students dead, and others wounded. Authorities said a student was responsible for the attack and subsequently died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident renewed calls for tighter controls to prevent firearms from reaching school campuses.

It followed another shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus in Zamboanga City in August, where students were killed and others wounded.

Earlier, in June, a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City left three students dead and several others injured. Two teenage students were identified as suspects in the attack.

When the Tacloban school reopened, authorities implemented tighter security measures, including using metal detectors, bag inspections, additional closed-circuit television cameras, and police presence.

The incidents have also prompted discussions among the Department of Education, Philippine National Police, and other agencies on strengthening security protocols and improving school personnel’s ability to identify and respond to potential threats.

READ: School shooting kills 3 in Tacloban

In Iloilo City, authorities had already moved to review school security following the Tacloban shooting. The city government said earlier that the Schools Division of Iloilo City, Iloilo City Police Office and concerned city offices had been directed to review and strengthen school security measures.

The South Cotabato shooting further heightened those concerns, with city officials stressing the need to remain vigilant even though the incidents occurred outside Iloilo.

For HSCI, Thursday’s suspension will give school and authorities a day to assess the situation and strengthen precautions before students return.

“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” the school said./coa