Two brothers have been identified by police as being behind a series of online threats targeting schools in Batangas, with authorities saying the messages were allegedly sent as pranks rather than as part of a plan to carry out an actual attack.
The Philippine National Police said a 26-year-old man and his 18-year-old brother were identified after cybercrime investigators traced the threatening messages to them. Police executed a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data at their residence in Barangay San Lucas, Lipa City, on September 22. Two mobile phones and a tablet were seized for examination.
According to PNP spokesperson Colonel Allen Rae Co, the threats reportedly began in August at a school attended by the younger brother. When the siblings allegedly realized that investigators were getting closer to identifying them, police said they began sending threats involving other schools in different areas, apparently to divert the investigation.
Police said the messages disrupted classes and created concern among school communities. Authorities are treating the incidents seriously because even threats made as jokes can trigger security responses, class suspensions and the deployment of police and emergency personnel.
Co said investigators found no indication that the brothers had the means to carry out the violent acts described in the messages. Police said they had no access to firearms or explosives and that the apparent purpose was to frighten people.
Despite that assessment, the brothers still face possible criminal charges. Authorities said the complaints include alarm and scandal, grave threats and violations related to bomb jokes under the Cybercrime Prevention Act.
The case comes as Philippine authorities have been warning students and social-media users against making threats or posting dangerous pranks online.
The Department of Education earlier emphasized that false information, harmful pranks and bomb threats in schools are not harmless jokes. Under its 2026 guidelines on maintaining safe learning environments, bomb threats or similar pranks are treated as serious offenses because they can cause panic, suspend classes and trigger emergency responses, while potentially creating criminal liability under existing laws.
Police have also issued similar warnings after separate incidents involving students who allegedly posted images of firearms and threats of violence on social media in South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat.
The Batangas investigation remains ongoing as authorities examine the seized devices and prepare the appropriate complaints.
What may have started as an online prank has now become a criminal investigation, underscoring how digital threats can quickly move beyond social media and affect entire school communities.
