The Philippine National Police (PNP) has mandated all regional and local police commanders to enforce stricter protocols for securing service weapons in personal residences and during off-duty hours, while also confirming complete assistance for upcoming nationwide school emergency exercises led by the Department of Education (DepEd) on August 25.
PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. stated that the measure aims to elevate internal accountability and prevent unauthorized people, particularly minors, from acquiring official police firearms.
“We remind all our personnel to exercise utmost responsibility in securing their firearms, especially when they are off duty and at home. Firearms must never be left in places where children or unauthorized persons can gain access to them,” Nartatez said on Friday, August 25.
Commanding officers were instructed to consistently integrate gun safety reminders into daily formations and operational briefings.
“Owning or carrying a firearm comes with a serious responsibility. One moment of negligence can result in the loss of life. We support calls for stricter accountability among gun owners. Responsible storage is non-negotiable,” he added.
The policy directive follows an August 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School that claimed the lives of two students, including the 14-year-old gunman. Investigations revealed the weapons belonged to the teenager’s father, an official with the Bureau of Customs in Zamboanga.
Nearly two months earlier, two students carried out a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, leaving three dead, using a police weapon issued to the aunt of one of the suspects.
The incidents triggered widespread calls for stricter gun controls and secure storage measures among law enforcement officials.
Alongside internal security directives, Nartatez confirmed police personnel will be actively deployed to assist DepEd’s upcoming emergency response drills.
“We have been involved in crafting measures to ensure the protection of learners and every learning space. The hard work is not yet done since your PNP will also be there to make sure that these safety measures are properly implemented in every school,” he said.
The security exercises—developed through a joint effort between DepEd, the PNP, and community partners—aim to train students and educators on emergency procedures while strengthening local law enforcement responsiveness.
“These drills will intensify coordination mechanisms among the police, school authorities, and barangay officials especially whenever there are threat situations,” Nartatez said.