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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider To protect learners: DepEd tightens school security protocols after deadly Tacloban shooting

To protect learners: DepEd tightens school security protocols after deadly Tacloban shooting

Published Jun 27, 2026 02:17 pm

At A Glance

  • DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara stressed the need for urgent action, saying learner protection is the agency's top priority and campuses must remain safe spaces for education.
(DEPED PHOTO)
(DEPED PHOTO)
Following a series of violent incidents involving learners on school campuses, the Department of Education (DepEd) has launched a comprehensive School Safety Campaign to strengthen learner protection and campus security measures nationwide.
In a statement, DepEd said the campaign brings together schools, parents, local government units (LGUs), law enforcement agencies, and community stakeholders to strengthen mechanisms for prevention, reporting, response, and intervention against bullying and other threats to campus safety.
The campaign comes after a June 22 shooting incident involving two learners inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which left three learners dead and more than a dozen others injured.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara stressed the need for urgent action, saying learner protection is the agency’s top priority and campuses must remain safe spaces for education.
"Hindi natin hahayaang malagay sa panganib ang ating mga mag-aaral. Kaya lalo nating hihigpitan ang koordinasyon sa ating mga partner at stakeholder upang masigurong hindi na mauulit ang ganitong trahedya (We will not allow our learners to be placed in danger. That is why we will further strengthen coordination with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that this kind of tragedy will not happen again),” he said.
Angara earlier went to Tacloban on June 23 to meet with the bereaved families and check on hospitalized learners and affected school personnel. 
During the visit, he called for the immediate enforcement of tighter security protocols in schools.
To ensure the prompt implementation of the updated security protocols, Angara met with DepEd regional directors on Friday, June 26, and ordered strict monitoring across all school divisions nationwide.
“To prevent future incidents, DepEd is deploying a multi-layered safety strategy through the newly launched School Safety Campaign,” the agency stated.
(DEPED PHOTO)
(DEPED PHOTO)
According to DepEd, schools nationwide will strengthen on-site security through handheld metal detectors, strict visitor management protocols, regular bag inspections, CCTV networks, and the strategic deployment of security personnel.
“Concurrently, public schools nationwide are undergoing safety audits to evaluate physical infrastructure—including perimeter fencing, visitor access points, lighting, and emergency exits—to identify and fortify high-risk campuses,” it added.
As such, the education department said it is also reorienting school administrations on Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), the Anti-Bullying Act, and child protection policies to strengthen how schools report, investigate, refer, and respond to safety-related incidents.
“Schools Division Offices (SDOs) are already collaborating closely with local police, parents, and barangay officials to build stronger multi-sectoral coordination,” it added.
DepEd said it is coordinating with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Union of Local Authorities of the Philippines (ULAP), Liga ng mga Barangay, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and Department of Health (DOH) to align response protocols.
The agency added that the School Safety Campaign also strengthens case management and inter-agency referral mechanisms under the ESMLE procedures to ensure timely coordination with local social welfare, police, and health offices.
DepEd said Schools Division Offices (SDOs) are convening leaders of Supreme Learner Governments (SLGs) and School Governing Parent-Teacher Associations (SGPTAs) to gather real-time feedback on bullying, cyberbullying, and challenges in reporting threats.
Likewise, the agency said it is setting up accessible and confidential reporting channels for bullying, violence, and other learner protection concerns. Schools are likewise updating their emergency response protocols for incidents involving active violence, lockdowns, and evacuations.
To protect learners from online risks, DepEd said it is rolling out digital citizenship and online safety programs tailored for learners, parents, and school personnel.
The education department said it has also put in place intervention programs to ensure immediate psychological first aid, counseling, and psychosocial support for victims, perpetrators, and bystanders, with the child’s best interests as the primary consideration.

Related Tags

DepEd School Safety Campaign learner protection campus security student safety bullying prevention school violence Sonny Angara Department of Education school safety protocols
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