The Philippine National Police (PNP) has instructed all local police commanders to coordinate with the Department of Education (DepEd) to help facilitate active shooter drills in campuses across the country.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. clarified that officers must secure explicit permission from school administrators before entering campuses to assist with these safety exercises.
“The safety and welfare of our learners are always our top priority, and the information that would be provided through this program would be their first line of protection and defense in cases of emergency situations inside the campus,” Nartatez said.
Proactive Measures Against Campus Violence
The initiative follows statements from Education Secretary Sonny Angara, who explained that the drills are designed to teach students and staff exactly how to respond during an active shooting. The goal is to establish a standardized emergency protocol to protect everyone on campus during a gun-related crisis.
To ensure seamless implementation, police commanders are actively reaching out to local DepEd offices as well as administrators of both public and private institutions. PNP leadership believes that having officers present during these drills will not only ensure professional guidance but also build trust, giving students peace of mind.
This nationwide strategy was developed during joint consultations between the PNP, DepEd, and other key stakeholders. The talks were prompted by a recent shooting at a high school in Tacloban City—marking the country’s first recorded campus gun attack.
Broadening Student Security
Nartatez emphasized that the PNP is fully committed to preventing a repeat of the Tacloban incident through various support systems. Beyond participating in emergency drills, the police force has:
- Integrated schools into their daily security beat patrols.
- Supported school guidance counseling initiatives.
- Assisted in setting up anti-bullying desks staffed by the PNP Women and Children Protection Desk.
Furthermore, Nartatez directed commanders to discuss a potential police presence during Monday flag ceremonies, a practice he championed earlier in his policing career.
“The children are the future of this country and as such, it is our mandate, it is our obligation to protect them and to make them feel safe not only in their homes and on the streets, but also in their schools,” Nartatez said.
“We assure the public that we will continue to honor this commitment in coordination with DepEd and other stakeholders.”