EDUCATION Secretary Sonny Angara warned on Thursday that students found responsible for making threats against schools will face strict penalties, including expulsion or dismissal from their institution as well as criminal charges.
Speaking to reporters during the EdConnect Higher Education EdTech Summit 2026 in Quezon City, Angara emphasized that every reported threat must be taken seriously, especially following recent incidents in Batangas and at Bagong Silangan High School in Quezon City.
“We have strengthened our safety protocols, and these threats really need to be treated with urgency — because if any of them turn out to be real, we cannot afford to put lives at risk,” Angara said.
He clarified that even false or hoax threats carry legal consequences, noting that those responsible are liable not only for administrative sanctions but also for criminal offenses. Penalties range from suspension to permanent dismissal or expulsion, depending on the gravity of the act.
To prevent similar incidents, the Department of Education is also rolling out enhanced security measures across campuses. These include increased police presence, deployment of additional security personnel, installation of metal detectors, improvement of perimeter fencing, and wider coverage of closed‑circuit television cameras. Angara expressed confidence that these steps will help deter potential threats and reassure students, parents, and teachers that schools remain safe learning environments.
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