ZAMBOANGA CITY- An education official here has requested that Zamboanga city postpone its participation in a Nationwide Simultaneous School Safety Drill for Active Attack Incidents that is scheduled to be held this week.

The activity is scheduled to be held on Tuesday, August 25, a week after a fatal school shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University which left two students dead.

The request for postponement was contained in a letter dated August 21, from Zamboanga Schools Division Superintendent Roy C Tuballa, EMD, to Department of Education (DepEd)- Region 9 Director Ronelo Al. K Firmo, PhD.

In the letter, Tuballa said that debriefing and psychosocial support services were still ongoing for learners and personnel affected by the recent shooting incident.

“Conducting an active attack simulation at this time may inadvertently cause anxiety, or retraumatization and distress within and around school communities,” he said.

Tuballa also referred to a meeting held between local government and education officials where they agreed to first review and update their existing safety and security plans in coordination with local authorities.

“Deferring the drill ensures that future simulations are orderly, context-appropriate, and fully aligned with local security protocols.”