In a proactive move to shield educational institutions and public spaces from armed violence, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso has signed Executive Order No. 29, Series of 2026, officially forming the Manila School and Community Safety Task Force.
The security directive was prompted by a deadly shooting on June 22 at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which resulted in three fatalities and left 20 others injured. The Tacloban tragedy involved two minors who obtained a 9mm Glock and a .38 caliber revolver from a police officer and a security firm—a stark regulatory failure that Manila’s new task force intends to safeguard against locally.
Speaking to constituents during his State of the City Address on Wednesday, June 24, Domagoso stressed the critical need for immediate preventative measures.
“Our policy is simple: Remove illegal guns. Act on every warning sign. Prepare every school. Manila will not wait for a tragedy before taking action,” he said.
The newly signed executive order directs the Manila Police District (MPD) and the Schools Division Office of Manila (SDO-Manila) to spearhead an aggressive crackdown on undocumented firearms.
Additionally, the mandate requires the formation of dedicated threat assessment teams and orders the completion of a thorough, city-wide School Safety Audit within a 90-day timeframe.