Angara leads DepEd response to Tacloban school shooting

MANILA, Philippines — Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday led the quick response of the Department of Education (DepEd) to the shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, where three students were killed and 20 others were wounded.

Angara went to Tacloban to check on the affected students and personnel of the school, coordinating closely with local authorities and the Philippine National Police, according to a DepEd statement on Tuesday.

During the inspection of the campus to check for structural damage, Angara ordered stricter campus security to be put in place, stressing that school safety remains a non-negotiable priority for the administration.

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“President Bongbong Marcos and the entire DepEd deeply grieve this violent incident. So we immediately secure aid and support for the victims’ families. Following the president’s order, we will tighten security in schools to keep the spaces for our youth safe,” Angara said in Filipino.

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READ: School shooting kills 3 students in Tacloban

Trauma response

He also visited the wakes of the victims and local hospitals to check on the wounded.

To address the immediate trauma experienced by the school community, DepEd collaborated with the Department of Health, the Regional Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and UP Tacloban Psych to deploy immediate mental health and psychosocial support services.

During a meeting with faculty and staff of San Jose National High School, Angara provided words of support and reminded educators to look out for one another’s well-being.

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“Before we act as authority figures, let’s not forget we’re human beings first. We need to be there for each other,” Angara told the teachers and school personnel.

Angara also called on the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified information, stressing that responsible communication is vital to safeguarding affected communities and preventing similar incidents.

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Managing student behavior, he added, would require closer attention, especially when they face heavy social media pressures or lack parental supervision at home.

READ: Tacloban shooting: Slain student who shielded peers hailed a hero

Police visibility around schools

Angara also met with local government officials and law enforcement to streamline security measures, acknowledging the increased police visibility around school perimeters.

He cited feedback from students that active patrols effectively deter potential campus disturbances.

The PNP is currently investigating how the two suspects, both minors who are in police custody, managed to get firearms traced to a police relative and a security agency.

To mitigate future risks, Angara ordered the strict enforcement of security protocols nationwide under DepEd Order No. 006, series of 2026, or the Guidelines for Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment.

The directive mandates a review of school entry points, routine bag and vehicle inspections, and the deployment of essential security equipment, including CCTV systems and metal detectors.

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Angara thanked local officials for their swift coordination and reiterated that maintaining safe school environments remains a shared responsibility of the entire community. /atm