DepEd Zamboanga backs Angara’s campus safety push

School communities across Zamboanga City are mobilizing shared governance networks and local partnerships to reinforce campus security and prioritize learner and personnel well-being following the recent tragic campus violence incident in the city.

The heightened response follows Education Secretary Sonny Angara’s visit to Ateneo de Zamboanga University on Wednesday, 19 August, to offer support and assess security concerns.

During a coordination meeting held on Thursday, 20 August, DepEd Region IX Regional Director Ronelo Al Firmo met with school heads and reiterated Secretary Angara’s urgent directive to tighten security protocols while placing equal emphasis on the mental health and psychosocial welfare of all learners and school staff.

“Hindi natin hahayaang malagay sa panganib ang ating mga mag-aaral. Under the mandate of President Bongbong Marcos, our top priority is to make our schools safe havens for learning,” Angara previously emphasized.

“Kaya lalo nating hihigpitan ang koordinasyon sa ating mga partner at stakeholder—from local officials to law enforcement—to ensure that our children can learn without fear," Angara added.

On Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla also visited Ateneo de Zamboanga University to reinforce inter-agency support measures.

Regional Director Firmo highlighted the role of collaborative governance in engaging parents, local government units, law enforcement, and community partners to fortify protective measures within school grounds.

Among the proactive steps being implemented were early threat monitoring, sustained police visibility along school perimeters, stricter campus access controls, and the provision of metal detectors in schools. This initiative aligns with the DepEd Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment and existing institutional child protection policies.

Firmo also personally conducted a visit to Maria Clara L. Lobregat National High School after the school received online threats, ensuring immediate intervention alongside school officials, concerned learners, and their parents.

DepEd strongly warns the public against making prank threats against schools and spreading unverified reports, emphasizing that such irresponsible actions cause unnecessary panic, disrupt classes, and carry severe legal consequences.

The Department also calls on parents, guardians, and gun owners to ensure strict household gun safety and responsible firearm ownership to prevent unauthorized access by minors and protect children both at home and in schools.

School leaders across Zamboanga City expressed their full commitment to implementing these security protocols and building supportive learning environments.

Eileen Pearl P. Aca-ac, Principal III of Lumbangan Integrated School, stressed the need for heightened vigilance. “As a school principal, it’s an eye-opener that we have to double our efforts to secure our learners, and we have to be cognizant that if we see even a small problem, we already have to take action on that before they escalate,” Aca-ac said.

Raymond Zapanta, Principal II of Lunzuran Elementary School, emphasized that safety is a prerequisite for education. “We are reminded that a safe and supportive environment is a fundamental requirement for effective learning. We must continue strengthening our system for prevention, preparedness, child protection, and the overall wellbeing of our learners and teachers,” Zapanta said.

Maribel F. Bernardo, Principal II of Maasin Integrated School highlighted community collaboration and emotional care. “We have open communication with parents, other stakeholders, and police stations to help us in case of an emergency. In the classroom, teachers give activities that are aligned with their lesson to check on the learners’ emotional state,” Bernardo said.

In response to the incident, DepEd has immediately deployed personnel to provide Psychological First Aid (PFA) and psychosocial support sessions to affected learners, parents and school personnel in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and the Department of Health (DOH) under a whole-of-nation approach.