AFTER TACLOBAN School violence in PH continues despite tighter security

Andrie Bayon, Sophia Buenavidez

Nearly three weeks after the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City on June 22, reports of violence and security-related incidents inside or near school premises have continued to emerge across the country.

At least 15 separate incidents have been recorded, including two bomb threats, three shooting threats, two stabbing incidents, and several cases involving weapon possession, bullying, and physical assault. 

Beyond bag checks

The Department of Education (DepEd) launched a nationwide School Safety Campaign on June 26. The campaign required schools to conduct safety audits, deploy handheld metal detectors, enforce stricter visitor screening and bag inspections, install additional CCTV cameras, and strengthen anti-bullying and child protection measures.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), all police units have been directed nationwide to increase police visibility around schools, strengthen threat monitoring, and coordinate with DepEd and local government units to support the implementation of enhanced campus security measures. 

However, several schools continued to report bomb threats, shooting plots, and weapon-related incidents even after these measures were put in place.

Behind school doors

Following the Tacloban Shooting on June 22, recent school violence cases continued to point to bullying and unresolved conflicts as common underlying factors. Most incidents stemmed from disputes between students that escalated into physical violence, with fellow minors accounting for the majority of perpetrators. 

The PNP has added help desks for those reporting incidents of bullying as a response to  ensure that complaints are reported and addressed before they  escalate into more serious offenses.