Promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions.
A school should be a safe place. But what happens when fear enters the classroom before the lesson even begins?
Recently, police investigated an alleged online death threat against students of private and public institutions in various cities. The post reportedly threatened to kill students. What begins on a screen can create fear far beyond it. Comments can turn into accusations, and words can become threats.
This is not simply a school-security issue. It is a challenge to the safety of the community and the strength of its institutions. When people are threatened for studying, speaking, organizing, or serving others, fear begins to silence everyone.
In the Philippines, threats against students, journalists, activists, human rights defenders, and community organizations show how fragile public trust can become. Human Rights Watch reported that harassment, threats, killings, and red-tagging continued against critics, activists, journalists, and rights defenders in 2025.
The Commission on Human Rights also found that red-tagging can threaten the rights to life, liberty, security, privacy, expression, association, and due process. It warned that such practices may precede arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and extrajudicial killings.
Colegio de Kidapawan, Inc. supports SDG 16, which reminds us that peace and strong institutions mean more than the absence of war. They mean creating communities where people can live safely, express their opinions, participate in society, and receive justice without intimidation.
What can we do today?
- Report credible threats immediately to school authorities and law enforcement.
- Avoid sharing threatening content irresponsibly or turning it into a public spectacle.
- Protect the identity and safety of people at risk.
- Reject red-tagging, harassment, bullying, and intimidation.
- Demand transparent investigations and accountability.
- Support schools and institutions that protect dialogue, safety, and human rights.
When threats silence the people, justice must raise its voice.
𝑻𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓, 𝒃𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔.
Sources: UN SDG Report; Commission on Human Rights Philippines; Human Rights Watch; The Freeman/Philstar.