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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP orders strict home firearm security following school shootings; backs nationwide safety drills

PNP orders strict home firearm security following school shootings; backs nationwide safety drills

Published Aug 21, 2026 03:03 pm

At A Glance

  • The Philippine National Police ordered commanders nationwide to remind police personnel to properly secure service firearms at home and while off duty to prevent children and unauthorized persons from accessing them.
  • The directive followed recent shootings in schools in Zamboanga City and Tacloban City involving firearms owned by or issued to government personnel.
  • The PNP will also mobilize personnel and resources to support DepEd's nationwide school safety drills on Aug. 25, which will test emergency protocols and coordination among police, schools and local officials.
NARTATEZ (PNP FB)
NARTATEZ (PNP FB)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) directed commanders nationwide to remind officers of their responsibility to secure service firearms at home and off duty even as it committed full support to nationwide school safety drills set by the Department of Education (DepEd) on August 25.
Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., PNP chief, said the move is part of efforts to strengthen accountability among personnel and prevent children or unauthorized persons from gaining access to police-issued weapons.
“We remind all our personnel to exercise utmost responsibility in securing their firearms, especially when they are off duty and at home. Firearms must never be left in places where children or unauthorized persons can gain access to them,” Nartatez said on Friday, Aug. 25.
He ordered police commanders to conduct firearm-accountability reminders during unit briefings and formations.
“Owning or carrying a firearm comes with a serious responsibility. One moment of negligence can result in the loss of life. We support calls for stricter accountability among gun owners. Responsible storage is non-negotiable,” he added.
The directive followed the August 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School, where two students, including the 14-year-old shooter, died. The guns used were owned by the shooter’s father, a district commander of the Bureau of Customs at the Port of Zamboanga.
Nearly two months earlier, two students of San Jose National High School in Tacloban City opened fire, killing three classmates. One of the shooters used a PNP-issued gun owned by her policewoman aunt.
The PNP said such incidents have renewed calls for government agencies to ensure firearms issued to uniformed personnel are properly secured when not in use.
At the same time, Nartatez said the PNP will mobilize personnel and resources for the nationwide school safety drills to be organized by DepEd.
“We have been involved in crafting measures to ensure the protection of learners and every learning space. The hard work is not yet done since your PNP will also be there to make sure that these safety measures are properly implemented in every school,” he said.
The drills, developed jointly by DepEd and the PNP with other stakeholders, will establish protocols for teachers and students during security threats.
Nartatez explained that the exercises will help learners and school personnel understand what to do in emergencies while allowing police units to test coordination with school authorities and local officials.
“These drills will intensify coordination mechanisms among the police, school authorities, and barangay officials especially whenever there are threat situations,” he said.

Related Tags

PNP gun safety Zamboanga Tacloban school shooting DepEd
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