DepEd suspends classes in Cebu City after series of bomb threats

An unidentified mother peeps through the gap in the gate of Zapatera Elementary School in Cebu City to check on the students inside following the decision of school officials to suspend classes after receiving a series of bomb threats, which turned out to be a hoax. LITO TECSON / CDN

CEBU CITY—Classes in Cebu City public schools were suspended Tuesday after a series of bomb threats.

Dr. Bianito Dagatan, division superintendent of the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City, recommended the suspension of classes to prevent panic and chaos.

At about 8:39 a.m. Tuesday, Dagatan’s secretary Rhea Fe Sarmiento received a phone call informing the DepEd office that a bomb was planted in DepEd-Cebu City building located on Imus Road.

Following the call at the DepEd office, the Mabolo Elementary and High School, Zapatera Elementary, Lahug Elementary, Labangon Elementary, Gothong High School and Cebu City Central School received the same threats.

“That’s why we decided to suspend classes to avoid panic,” said Dagatan.

“Although we knew the purpose was just to sow panic we didn’t take the threats for granted,” Dagatan added.

Teachers were allowed to return to DepEd-Cebu City building at 10:57 a.m. when SWAT personnel scour the whole building and didn’t find a bomb or any explosive devices. JPV