Schools tighten security after Tacloban shooting; Remulla links tragedy to bullying

John Paul Siapel 

Schools in several provinces adjusted their safety protocols and intensified checkpoint inspections following recent reports of student-involved violence in different parts of the country, June 24.

Education officials and law enforcement authorities confirmed that heightened security measures went into effect after a fatal shooting incident involving minor students inside a school in Tacloban City, and a separate case where a Grade 8 student allegedly brandished a knife  inside a private school in General Trias, Cavite.

Police visibility deployed

In Dagupan City, the local police office and authorities coordinated efforts to reinforce campus perimeters, implementing stricter gate verifications and increasing police visibility.

The Dagupan City Police Office reported that approximately 80 police officers were deployed to 45 public schools to maintain order and prevent similar occurrences.

“Maglagay po tayo ng pulis kada school natin para magkaroon tayo ng preemptive measures at hindi na maulit ‘yung mga incident sa schools,” Police Colonel Arnold Solomon, director of the Dagupan City Police Office, said.

Public Schools District Supervisor Dr. Edwin Ferrer stated that all standard safety guidelines from the Department of Education (DepEd) were reactivated.

He noted that their division office was placed on red alert status to monitor compliance.

Strengthening security equipments

In Calasiao, security guards utilized handheld metal detectors and conducted systematic bag checks to intercept prohibited items before individuals entered the premises.

“Kasi po para malaman kung ano po yung laman ng gamit… kung may dalang kutsilyo o mga matutulis na bagay… maganda para matignan ng mga guard,” Grade 9 student Jasper Umagtan said.

The Calasiao Police Station confirmed that it maintained an open line of communication with school administrators through regular visits and security dialogues.

Local authorities stated that the monitoring of school entry and exit points would continue for the remainder of the school year.

Developments in Tacloban shooting

As regional forces managed the immediate physical safety of school perimeters, investigative updates emerged regarding the underlying motives behind the shooting at San Jose National High School.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla stated during an interview that initial feedback pointed to a severe instance of bullying that escalated out of control.

According to Remulla, the minor suspects claimed they had been targeted by bullies in the past and acted after reaching a breaking point with certain classmates.

“But, it appears from the initial feedback that it was bullying gone wrong… The children claimed that they’ve been bullied way back. It seems they had enough of the tough guys in the classroom. That’s why they did it,” Remulla said.

Regarding campus security lapses, Remulla clarified that while police officers were assigned to the vicinity of schools, regulations prohibited them from conducting physical searches on individual students.

“The jurisdiction of the PNP is outside the school, not inside. Inside the school, it’s the school principal who’s in charge… But, we have to review our policies. If there was bullying, we have to address that. We also have to address other root causes of the problem,” Remulla pointed out.

DepEd coordination following the incident

DepEd coordinated with local police, social workers, and local government units to deploy immediate financial and medical assistance to the victims and their families.

“Upon receiving reports of the incident, DepEd coordinated with the PNP, the Schools Division Office of Tacloban City, and school officials to ensure the safety and security of everyone within the campus,” DepEd Regional Director Salustiano T. Jimenez Jr. said.

The education agency also arranged for psychological and psychosocial support programs to help affected learners, teachers, and school personnel cope with the emotional and mental trauma of the incident.