Police forces In Western Visayas and Mimaropa have stepped up school safety measures and emergency response following another gun attack inside school premises in Zamboanga City and the confiscation of a revolver from a student in a town in Cebu.

In Western Visayas, Brig. Gen. Randulf T. Tuaño, director of the Police Regional Office- 6, said they have been conducting simulation exercises in schools and actually held eight from Aug. 14 to 20 in some parts of the regions.

The exercises include four scenarios: presence of active shooter, presence of knife-wielding student, hostage-taking incident, and bomb threat.

“These were all conducted in coordination with school administrators, force multipliers, and other concerned agencies to enhance awareness and preparedness, strengthen security readiness, and improve emergency response capabilities within school premises,” said Tuaño.

He said he already tasked all police commanders down to the municipal level to sustain simulation exercises and closer coordination with local government units, education officials, emergency responders, and other partner agencies for the safety of students and learning spaces.

Tuaño emphasized that preparedness is an essential part of keeping schools safe and should be continuously strengthened through cooperation among the police, school authorities, local government, emergency responders, parents, and the community.

“Our objective is preparedness, not alarm. We want our schools and responding agencies to know their roles and be able to act quickly, calmly, and in coordination should an emergency occur. The safety of our students, teachers, and school personnel will always be a priority,” Tuaño said.

In Mimaropa, Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Dela Cruz, director of the Police Regional Office 4B, said police presence in schools were further intensified through beat patrols and school visitations in schools.

From June 30 to Aug 18, Dela Cruz said a total of 2,422 school-related activities were done involving 4,071 uniformed personnel who initiated school visitations, security assistance, lectures and workshops, simulation exercises and coordination activities in Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, Marindque, Romblon and Palawan.

“Every child deserves to feel safe when going to school. Our responsibility is to make sure that our police presence is felt where our learners are, and that when a concern arises, our personnel are ready to respond,” Dela Cruz said.

Dela Cruz also reminded firearm owners to exercise the highest degree of responsibility in the possession, storage, and handling of firearms and ammunition and to ensure that these are properly secured and inaccessible to children and other unauthorized persons.

“Responsible firearm ownership is part of keeping our families, schools, and communities safe. If there is a firearm in your home, make sure it is properly secured and that only authorized persons can access and handle it,” Dela Cruz said.

Police have been providing assistance to schools since the first case of school mass shooting in the country. On Tuesday, police will also participate in the nationwide simultaneous safety drill initiated by the Department of Education.