By el Amigo
MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) is looking to further strengthen mental health and psychosocial support programs in schools following the deadly shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara traveled to Zamboanga City on Wednesday to join a security briefing and inspect the area, a day after two learners were killed in the August 18 shooting incident.
Angara met with Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Guillrey Anthony Andal, SJ, local government officials and representatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to discuss the incident and school safety measures.
The education chief stressed that protecting students goes beyond physical security, saying schools must also pay closer attention to the psychological and socio-emotional well-being of learners.
He noted that Ateneo de Zamboanga had been preparing for an active-shooter drill at its Junior High School campus in September even before the tragic incident.
Angara said such exercises are only one component of a broader school safety strategy.
“That’s only for external security. Sabi nga natin hindi lang ‘yung bakod, hindi lang ‘yung security arrangements natin,” Angara said, emphasizing that schools must also address psychological and socio-emotional concerns.
He said DepEd already has mental health interventions in place but acknowledged that these programs need to be expanded and strengthened in light of recent developments.
“Meron naman tayong mga interventions na geared towards mental health pero syempre going forward mas pag-iigihan ho natin ang mga programang pang-mental health dahil nakikita natin na parang mas kailangan na ngayon,” he said.
More counselors expected in public schools
The DepEd earlier announced that thousands of additional counseling-related positions could be created following the issuance of Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 2600920.
Around 10,000 positions for School Counselor Associate I could potentially be established by the Department of Budget and Management, with additional counselors and counselor associates expected to join the basic education workforce.
The new qualification standards cover positions ranging from Schools Division Counselor to School Counselor I to IV and School Counselor Associate I to V.
The deployment of these personnel is expected to start during School Year 2026-2027.
For Angara, however, professional counseling must be complemented by stronger relationships between teachers, students and school communities.
He urged school personnel to become more familiar with the learners under their care and to regularly check on their well-being.
“Talagang makihalubilo tayo sa ating mga estudyante, kilalanin natin sila, kumustahin natin sila,” Angara said, stressing that schools should function not only as places of learning but also as “pangalawang tahanan” for children.
Authorities examining possible online influence
Angara also said investigators have not completely dismissed the possibility that online influences may have played a role in the incident.
He cited the possibility of online grooming or exposure to nihilistic violent groups, although he stressed that the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Angara said the child in conflict with the law (CICL) had a strong academic record and a family support system, making it important for authorities to determine what may have triggered the incident.
He also mentioned concerns involving online grooming networks, including the so-called 764 network, and called for closer coordination among government agencies in addressing potentially harmful online influences.
The education secretary urged parents to pay closer attention to their children’s online activities and interactions, particularly with people they do not personally know.
He warned that individuals seeking to influence vulnerable young people could exploit anger, frustration or disenchantment and further intensify those emotions.
At the same time, Angara cautioned the public against jumping to conclusions while the investigation continues.
He emphasized the importance of protecting the privacy and dignity of the students and families affected by the tragedy.
DepEd likewise appealed to the public to refrain from posting or circulating details, photographs and videos related to the shooting, saying such material could cause additional distress to learners, school personnel and families already coping with the incident.
elamigo/xf
