DepEd to launch active shooting drills in public schools
The Department of Education is set to roll out active shooting drills in public schools to ensure the safety of learners.
Education Sec. Sonny Angara said this initiative aims to equip learners and teachers in the event of on-campus violence.
"Ipapakita natin kung ano ang kailangang gawin kapag may bumaril sa isang eskwelahan. May protocol tayong automatic," he told reporters on July 8.
The security measure comes after the school shooting in Tacloban on June 22, where three students died and several others were injured.
"Nag-aadjust tayo kasi ito 'yung kauna-unang school shooting. Ibig sabihin 'yung estudyante 'yung namaril," he said.
Additionally, DepEd is also hoping to help address bomb threats in schools by working closely with the Philippine National Police.
"Hihingi tayo ng tulong sa PNP kasi dumadami rin ang mga bomb threats," Angara said.
"'Yung [ibang schools] kasi automatic nagsu-suspende ng klase. 'Yung ibang sanay na sa bomb threats, tumatawag ng SWAT team."
Angara continued to say that psychological first aid is also important. "Kasi natotrauma 'yung ating mga estudyante, pati 'yung mga magulang, pati 'yung kanilang mga pamilya, pati 'yung mga teachers natin, 'yung mga staff ng DepEd."
Following the Tacloban school shooting, other high schools reported mass shooting threats, including the Batangas City Integrated High School. The PNP has also thwarted potential shooting attempts at a public school in General Mariano Alvarez, Cavite and Tolosa National High School in Leyte.
San Jose National High School, where the Tacloban shooting took place, resumed face-to-face classes on Monday, July 6.
The suspects, minors themselves, are under the joint monitoring of social workers and law enforcement authorities.
A criminal complaint has been filed against the 15-year-old suspect. Meanwhile, the 14-year-old is detained in a youth facility where he will undergo intense intervention until he is rehabilitated, according to Department of Social Welfare and Development Sec. Rex Gatchalian.