The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), in coordination with the Department of Education (DepEd), has issued a nationwide memorandum directing the deployment of barangay tanods to public schools to help ensure student safety.

In a social media post, the DILG urged barangay captains to station tanods in schools within their areas to address school-related incidents.

“Barangays are enjoined to work closely with DepED schools within their jurisdiction to assign tanods who will manage traffic during arrival and dismissal, patrol school premises and nearby areas frequently by students, monitor and report incidents that may threaten safety, and perform other lawful duties assigned by the Punong Barangay or the police to secure school zone.”

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said the decision came in response to Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s request to support school officials in maintaining campus security.

“Marami kaming nakukuhang complaint. Nag-usap kami ni DepEd Sec. Sonny Angara na kailangang gumawa na tayo ng hakbang para matigil na ang lahat ng ito.”

The move follows a school shooting incident earlier this week at Sta. Rosa Integrated School in Nueva Ecija. The incident resulted in the death of a male suspect and, five days later, the death of the 15-year-old female victim, who succumbed to her injuries on Tuesday.