DepEd launches shooter drills

MANILA, Philippines — To deter on-campus security threats, the Department of Education (DepEd) launched yesterday the first-ever active shooter drill at the Manila Science High School.Postponed last week due to class suspensions brought by Typhoon Inday, DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara led the launch of the National Safe Schools Summit and Safety Drill to strengthen emergency response protocols.

“This fight is not DepEd’s fight alone. It is a challenge we must face together, especially given the complexities we have seen in recent weeks,” Angara said. “We rely on the support of our parents, families, communities, local governments and our partners across all levels of government to ensure that schools remain safe havens.”

Angara directed all public schools to develop active threat response plans tailored to their specific environments, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach in favor of localized immediate action.

“Our focus is on proactive prevention and readiness because adhering to safety protocols is a vital step in saving lives,” he said.

During the drill, learners, school staff and local authorities participated in synchronized lockout, lockdown and evacuation simulations to ensure a swift and organized reaction to potential active threats.

“The policy is preparation and prevention. Experts said time and action are important as these incidents happen quickly,” Angara told reporters. “We can no longer allow security threats to place the lives of our learners in harm’s way. No family should have to mourn a school tragedy again.”

Angara said DepEd is also limiting the exposure of students to damaging social media sites, bad influence, groomers and active terrorist recruiters as cases of school violence increased.

He assured parents that such cases are relatively few, considering that there are over 48,000 schools nationwide.

“Our community is playing its part. The police and local governments are active because we want prevention,” Angara said.

Angara thanked the DepEd’s partner agencies, such as the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection, for ensuring police visibility in schools.

He also lauded the Department of the Interior and Local Government for its 911 hotline, providing emergency response around the clock.

Aside from simulation of the logistics of the active shooter incidents, the safety drill also includes psychological first aid workshops and discussions on cyber-related concerns.

Angara said school safety drills would be regularly implemented nationwide.

To boost security in Quezon City schools, the police and the city government will hold simulation drills so students can respond to shooting and other threats.

As Mayor Joy Belmonte wants to keep schools safe spaces for learners, Quezon City Police District director Brig. Gen. Randy Glenn Silvio tentatively set an active shooter drill tomorrow.

The simulation exercise will also cover stabbing, bomb threats and riots, according to Silvio. – Emmanuel Tupas