Mayor prefers metal detectors in schools

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival has assured parents and educators that the safety of students remains his administration's top priority, even as the city government continues to study proposals such as a cellphone ban in schools.

Archival said he has already met with officials of the Department of Education (DepEd)-Cebu City and the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), then headed by Colonel Arnel Apud to strengthen coordination on campus security.

“Ato ning palapdan ang seguridad sa mga eskwelahan, especially naay nahitabo sa Tacloban. Naay among nakita unsaon pag-improve,” the mayor said.

On June 22, 2026, a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City left three students dead and several others injured.

Authorities said the two suspects, both minors, are believed to have been influenced by the violent online game Gorebox.

The tragedy prompted the Department of Education to heighten security measures nationwide, deploy psychosocial support teams, and encourage local government units to adopt preventive measures against campus violence.

Archival said the most significant proposal currently being studied is the installation of metal detectors in schools.

He said discussions with Councilor Paul Labra II, chairman of the Cebu City Council's Committee on Public Order and Safety, are ongoing to determine whether the Special Education Fund (SEF) can be used to purchase and distribute the devices.

“Ang pinaka dako gyud namo nga na-estoryahan, magbutang gyud ta og mga metal detectors sa mga eskwelahan,” Archival emphasized.

The mayor also disclosed that the city has scheduled a consultation on Thursday with 165 registered psychometricians, two lawyers, and three psychologists who responded to the city's call for volunteers.

The group is expected to recommend measures to help prevent school violence and strengthen student welfare programs.

Among the proposals being considered is the conduct of active shooter drills—without the use of live ammunition—to better prepare students and teachers for emergency situations.

Despite the discussions, Archival clarified that Cebu City will not immediately implement a cellphone ban in schools.

Instead, he said the city will first observe the outcome of the policy being implemented by Mayor Gungun Gica in Dumanjug, Cebu.  Starting yesterday, cellphones are banned in all public schools in Dumanjug.

Gica warned that devices brought by students will be confiscated and returned only at the end of the school year. The mayor said that the policy is aimed at improving the town’s academic performance and encourage students to focus on reading, studying and face-to-face interaction.

Archival, however, said that Cebu City's circumstances differ from those of smaller municipalities like Dumanjug.

“Dinhi sa Cebu City, lahi man gud ni sa different areas like sa probinsya. Ang mga ginikanan gusto nga naay cellphone ang ilang mga bata para kung naay emergency, ila dayon ma-locate, ila dayon mabantayan. Let’s see how things go,” he said.

While a cellphone ban remains under consideration, Archival underscored that the city is moving forward with measures to strengthen school security through increased police visibility, closer coordination with DepEd, consultations with mental health professionals, and the possible deployment of technological safeguards such as metal detectors. — (FREEMAN)