DepEd tightens security at schools
Angara said DepEd was increasing coordination with local governments and asking village officials to patrol school premises, particularly during arrival and dismissal.
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Angara said DepEd was increasing coordination with local governments and asking village officials to patrol school premises, particularly during arrival and dismissal.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the Department of Education (DepEd) is tightening security in public schools and expanding mental health support following the fatal shooting at a school affiliated with Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City.
Angara said Thursday that DepEd was funding measures such as metal detectors and closed-circuit television cameras, while some schools have deployed security guards. Local governments are also being asked to provide equipment and personnel.
“We’re adopting a bayanihan approach where we all pitch in,” Angara told reporters during a visit to Bais City National High School in Negros Oriental.
The Tuesday shooting killed a Grade 10 student and the Grade 9 shooter, who took his own life. The attack was livestreamed using a body-worn camera. It was the second fatal school shooting in the Philippines in less than two months, following a June attack in Tacloban City
Angara said DepEd was increasing coordination with local governments and asking village officials to patrol school premises, particularly during arrival and dismissal.
“We’re asking the tanods also to help us do the rounds of the schools, especially at entrance, when school starts and at exit,” he said.
Early intervention
The department is also tightening controls on entry, increasing security visibility and encouraging teachers to conduct rounds.
“We’re stricter on entry to the premises. And the CCTVs, metal detectors, the security guards. And, of course, making sure each teacher does rounds,” he added.
Angara said physical security alone would not prevent violence, stressing the importance of teachers knowing their students and recognizing warning signs.
“Checking in on our learners is an inherent strength of our educators, especially our class advisers who interact with them every day,” he said.
He also warned of a possible copycat effect, underscoring the need for early intervention.
DepEd said teachers should not be expected to act as mental health professionals or disciplinarians. Instead, they should create supportive classrooms, identify behavioral changes and refer students to trained professionals.
Counselors needed
The department is accelerating the deployment of School Counselor Associates under Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.
DepEd added it is also strengthening referral and crisis-response mechanisms through the Learners TeleSafe Contact Center Helpline, which connects students and school personnel with National Center for Mental Health experts.
Angara urged schools to work with Parent-Teacher Associations, saying parents, schools, local governments and police must share responsibility for student safety.
Meanwhile, Ateneo de Zamboanga University said its Psychological First Aid Team had assisted 102 students, 75 parents and three faculty members following the shooting.
University officials also coordinated with city and national authorities and turned over relevant security footage to the Zamboanga City Police Office and the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
Fr. Guillrey Anthony “Ernald” M. Andal, S.J. said there were two casualties and one wounded student who was recovering. He stressed that the intent or motive behind the shooting had not been conclusively determined and urged the public to avoid speculation.
