Tacloban school shooting: DepEd-W. Visayas orders police visibility

ILOILO CITY – The Department of Education (DepEd) 6 (Western Visayas) has instructed all school division superintendents in the region to ensure police visibility in campuses and coordinate with barangay tanods in their area for strengthened security.

In an interview on Tuesday, DepEd-6 Information Officer Hernani Escullar Jr. said they were saddened by the incident at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City because it occurred in a place considered safe for children.

He said DepEd Regional Director Cristito Eco wanted police visibility outside schools perceived to be “high risk” because their presence could serve as a deterrent.

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“They can coordinate with local officials for possible procurement of local detectors and installation of CCTVs (closed-circuit televisions) in school gates and other areas. Although they already have CCTV, it would be a big help if there are additional units because it could help our personnel in ensuring security,” he said.

The conduct of no-contact bag checks and roving inspections are also encouraged.

In addition to tightened security, schools were also advised to strengthen their anti-bullying campaign.

“That means our school head must advocate this during the flag-raising ceremony. They must be reminded that there is no place for bullying in our schools,” Escullar said.

The learner rights protection (LRP) offices must be activated all the time, and hotlines where learners can call anytime if they are victims of bullying should be set up for appropriate intervention, he added.

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Meanwhile, the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) coordinated with the DepEd Iloilo City Schools Division on Monday afternoon to further strengthen school security and safety protocols.

Issues discussed during the meeting include the operation and maintenance of CCTV cameras and other security equipment; the role of first responders during emergencies; the implementation of child protection programs; the identification of high-risk schools for possible intervention and security enhancement; police deployment strategies; and the review of standard operating procedures for security guards.

The discussion also covered the conduct of lectures and advocacy campaigns on anti-bullying, violence prevention, and other school safety concerns.

School officials were likewise encouraged to immediately contact emergency responders through the National Emergency Hotline 911 or the ICPO hotlines at 0908-377-0194 and 335-0299 during emergencies.

“We encourage school officials, parents, and the community to remain vigilant and immediately report any threats or suspicious activities to the authorities. By working together, we can foster a culture of safety, preparedness, and resilience in our schools,” ICPO Director Col. Wilbert Parilla said in a statement. (PNA)

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