MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) is reassessing school safety systems and pushing for increased law enforcement presence in campuses following multiple violent incidents involving students across several cities.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara made the call during a visit to San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, on Tuesday, where he met with local officials, police authorities, and school administrators.
Angara cited recent cases of campus-related violence in Tacloban City, General Trias City, and Cavite City, all involving children in conflict with the law, as prompting a review of existing safety measures.
He said DepEd is working to strengthen and modernize school security protocols, including guidelines for responding to extreme threats such as active shooter situations.
While acknowledging that such scenarios were previously not considered in local education settings, Angara said evolving risks now require updated preparedness measures.
He also pointed to the need for greater police visibility in schools, describing it as a deterrent against potential violence, in line with discussions with Philippine National Police officials.
Beyond security measures, Angara urged school personnel to play a more proactive role in identifying early warning signs among students, emphasizing the importance of closer monitoring of learner behavior and well-being.
DepEd confirmed that the Tacloban City shooting resulted in three fatalities and 20 injuries. Separate incidents in Cavite City and General Trias City also left several students wounded in knife attacks.
In response, the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) emphasized the need to strengthen values formation in schools, saying education reform should not focus solely on academic performance but also on emotional and social development.
The group warned that recent incidents reflect a troubling escalation from peer conflict and bullying to deadly violence within school environments.
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