The Department of Education (DepEd) Schools Division Office of Himamaylan City released a statement on June 25 to refute the allegations circulating online that New People’s Army (NPA) forces harassed teachers at a school in Barangay Buenavista. DepEd Himamaylan City called it “fake news,” propagated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines operated Facebook page Pagmata Negros.

The Pagmata Negros report claimed that the incident happened while the teacher was at their school and was approached by an armed man allegedly an NPA member.

“This misinformation only creates fear and disrupts the education of our learners,” Schools Division Superintendent Gladys Amylaine Sales said. She stated that through consultation and interviews with authorities and school staff, they determined that no such incident was reported.

She urged teachers under the division to remain calm, focus on their duties, and continue building a safe and peaceful community and school. The new academic year of DepEd began on June 16.

Meanwhile, Sales appealed to the public to be careful and critical in sharing information that has a significant impact on public safety.