A group of education workers on Monday, August 18, sounded the alarm over the Department of Education’s (DepEd) move to strengthen police visibility in schools—warning that the plan could normalize militarization in educational spaces instead of addressing the roots of violence.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), in a statement, raised the concern following a meeting between DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III last week, where DepEd requested increased police presence in schools and capacity-building programs for barangay and school “first responders.”

ACT Chairperson Vladimer Quetua argued that the proposal runs counter to DepEd’s long-standing declaration of schools as “zones of peace.”

“Schools are meant to be centers of learning and growth, not extensions of police camps,” Quetua said. “Increasing police presence will only cultivate fear, surveillance, and a culture of violence, instead of addressing the conditions that drive youth towards violent acts.”

Quetua also questioned the PNP’s track record, citing its involvement in extrajudicial killings, harassment of activists, and rights violations against marginalized communities.

ACT marked August 16 as the eighth death anniversary of student Kian delos Santos, renewing calls for justice and remembrance.

“Time and again, the PNP has been implicated in extrajudicial killings, harassment of activists and unionists, and rights violations against the poor,” Quetua said. “What kind of message are we sending to our youth if the very institution linked to these abuses is placed at the gates of their schools?” he added. 

ACT emphasized that DepEd itself had institutionalized schools as neutral, demilitarized zones. Under DepEd Order No. 44, s. 2005, schools were designated as “zones of peace,” a policy reinforced by DepEd Order No. 32, s. 2019, which binds the agency to uphold human rights, peacebuilding, and child protection.

“The call for heightened police visibility is a direct violation of these DepEd policies,” Quetua said. “It undermines the agency’s own commitments to human rights, child protection, and peacebuilding in education,” he added. 

ACT pointed out that the recent cases of violence involving students cannot be resolved through policing alone, as they are symptoms of deeper social and cultural crises aggravated by poverty, injustice, and the prevailing climate of impunity.

The group urged DepEd to prioritize student welfare through non-militarized solutions, such as:

- strengthening guidance, counseling, and psychosocial support services;

- integrating peace and justice education into the curriculum;

- ensuring democratic spaces for student participation; and

- protecting academic freedom

ACT also pressed for a bigger education budget to address systemic shortages, particularly in guidance counselors, security personnel, and psychosocial programs.

The group said this demand is urgent as deliberations for the 2026 national budget are set to begin in two weeks.

“Security cannot be reduced to police patrols,” Quetua said. “Genuine safety for our learners comes from building schools and communities that value life, ensure accountability, and uphold justice,” he added. 

Quetua also stressed that “what our children need is guidance, support, and opportunities to participate in shaping a better society—not more armed men patrolling their classrooms.”