Metro Manila, Philippines – The Department of Education on Friday ordered tighter security measures in public schools nationwide following last week’s deadly shooting at a high school in Tacloban City, including the deployment of handheld metal detectors, campus safety audits and stricter visitor screening.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara announced the measures days after three students were killed and more than a dozen others were injured in a shooting inside San Jose National High School on June 22.
“We are moving with urgency because protecting our children is our absolute priority,” Angara said.
The department said all public schools will undergo security assessments to identify vulnerabilities in perimeter fencing, access points, lighting and emergency exits. Schools will also tighten visitor management, conduct regular bag inspections, expand the use of closed-circuit television cameras and deploy handheld metal detectors.
DepEd is also requiring schools to strengthen enforcement of the Anti-Bullying Act and existing child protection policies, while reviewing reporting and intervention procedures for bullying and school violence.
The agency said Schools Division Offices have been directed to coordinate with local governments, police and parents to improve campus security. National agencies, including the Philippine National Police, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Health, will assist in emergency response and referral systems.
Angara visited Tacloban on June 23 to meet with the families of the victims and inspect the affected school before directing regional offices to immediately implement the new security protocols.
The department also said schools will expand confidential reporting channels for bullying and violence, update emergency response plans and provide psychosocial support to students affected by violent incidents.
