PH schools push for use of transparent bags on campus for easier inspection
At least five schools in the Philippines are urging the use of transparent school bags for students and personnel on campus for easier inspection following two incidents of school shootings in the country in the span of three months.
In Mindanao, Holy Child Central Colleges and Santo Niño College Foundation in South Cotabato, as well as Santo Niño College Foundation in Davao, are asking their students, faculty, and staff to use transparent bags on campus to make it easier for security to check for concealed weapons.
According to the Philippine News Agency, San Jose National High School in Tacloban implemented the same measure on Aug. 17. In Iloilo, Parara National High School in Tigbauan has been doing the same thing since early August, per Panay News.
On Facebook over the weekend, Holy Child Central Colleges wrote that its community "is already embracing the use of transparent bags as part of the institution's commitment to maintaining a safer and more secure campus."
"From students to faculty and staff, everyone plays a part in keeping our community safe. Together, let’s make safety a shared commitment," the statement read.
The school's recommended bags ranged from canvas and mesh bags to see-through plastic backpacks.
In its memo released on Aug. 19, Santo Nino College Foundation invited all its students, teachers, and staff to use transparent bags as much as possible.
"Makakatulong ang mga transparent na bag upang masuportahan ang ating sama-samang pangako na mapanatili ang isang ligtas at mapayapang lugar," the school wrote in a Facebook post.
An infographic released by the school indicated that bags that are opaque, non-transparent, or printed without clear panels are not allowed on campus. It also recommended a size: the bags should be only 17 inches high and 12 inches wide.
Students, teachers, and personnel are allowed to bring only the following: books and notebooks, wallet or purse, pencil case, water bottle, snacks and lunch, and personal essentials.
Meanwhile, per the Philippine News Agency, over 1,600 students of San Jose National High School received transparent backpacks on Aug. 17, reportedly from local businessman and former city administrator Jimmy Yaokasin. His family also apparently donated a metal detector to the school in July.
According to Panay News, students in Parara National High School in Tigbauan, Iloilo are required to come to school with their things in transparent bags. The bags are inspected at the school gate before students enter the campus to make sure no one brings in weapons or other dangerous items.
The more stringent security measures come days after the Aug. 18 shooting incident in Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where two junior high school students died. On June 22, three students passed away while five other individuals were injured after two high school students went on a shooting rampage through San Jose National High School in Tacloban.
In both instances, the suspects, all considered CICLs, or children in conflict with the law, snuck guns into campus despite the presence of security personnel.
