Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
Psychiatrist groups urge DepEd to defer live shooter attack drill
Philippines
National
Psychiatrist groups urge DepEd to defer live shooter attack drill
Psychiatrist groups urge DepEd to defer live shooter attack drill
By Jel Santos
Published Aug 23, 2026 03:58 pm
At A Glance
- Psychiatrist groups urged DepEd to defer its planned live shooter attack simulation over possible psychological harm to learners.
- The groups said evidence does not show that such simulations reduce casualties or prevent attacks.
- They recommended trauma-informed safety measures, tabletop exercises, and accommodations for vulnerable learners.
(MB FILE PHOTO)
The Philippine Psychiatric Association (PPA) and the Philippine Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (PSCAP) urged the Department of Education (DepEd) to defer its planned live shooter attack simulation, citing a lack of evidence that such drills prevent casualties and studies showing they may cause lasting psychological harm.
In a joint statement dated Saturday, Aug. 22, the groups distinguished live shooter simulations from routine safety exercises, such as earthquake and fire drills.
On Aug. 12, DepEd issued a memorandum designating one school in each region as a ceremonial venue for the Aug. 25 drill and strongly encouraging other schools to participate.
“The conduct of a simulation of a live shooter attack drill should be DEFERRED. Such simulations differ from routine safety drills like earthquake or fire exercises, which are necessary and beneficial,” the groups said.
According to the PPA and PSCAP, learners who participate in simulated active-attack exercises are exposed to highly realistic scenarios of violence.
“Current evidence does not show that these simulations reduce casualties or prevent incidents, while multiple studies demonstrate that they can cause lasting psychological harm across age groups,” they stressed.
The medical organizations said school safety should be strengthened through measures that protect learners without causing trauma.
“Locks, controlled entry points, and perimeter security should be prioritized,” they said.
“Protocols must be trauma-informed, with clear advance notice and the involvement of guidance counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and child psychiatrists.”
The PPA and PSCAP urged schools to use tabletop exercises as an alternative to live simulations.
“These are simple, discussion-based activities where teachers, staff, and parents sit together and talk through ‘what if’ scenarios,” they said.
“For example, participants might ask: ‘If an intruder enters, who locks the doors? Who calls parents? Where do students go?’ This approach builds coordination and preparedness without frightening children.”
Likewise, they called for inclusive participation, with appropriate accommodations for learners with disabilities, sensory-processing needs, or a history of trauma.
“Each school should conduct a needs assessment before developing and implementing drills to ensure that the unique characteristics of its community are considered,” they said.
The medical organizations also called for the creation of a joint Mental Health Task Group composed of DepEd, the Department of Health (DOH), and specialty groups such as the PPA and PSCAP to generate Philippine-specific outcome data before any nationwide mandate is expanded.