MANILA — The Department of Education (DepEd) has launched a nationwide review of school security measures following the deadly Tacloban City school shooting and separate stabbing incidents in Cavite, while maintaining that the violent episodes remain isolated cases and not part of a broader trend in Philippine schools.
Undersecretary Malcolm Garma said Tuesday that the department is reassessing safety protocols in schools and strengthening coordination with law enforcement and local communities to prevent similar incidents.
“As of now, we still can consider these as isolated cases, considering the number of schools all over the Philippines,” Garma said.
The review comes in the wake of a shooting inside a high school in Tacloban City that left three students dead and several others injured. Police investigators earlier said the attack appeared to have been planned and that the firearm used was allegedly obtained from a relative in law enforcement.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has since ordered tighter security measures in schools, while lawmakers have called for investigations and stronger support programs for students.
Despite classifying the incidents as isolated, Garma acknowledged that vulnerabilities in school and community security systems must be addressed.
“There are areas that probably have not yet fully looked into security, not only inside the school but also within the community,” he said.
To strengthen protection measures, DepEd plans to work more closely with the Philippine National Police, barangay officials, village watchmen, and other community-based security groups.
“We will be able to intensify our security measures outside of the schools so that it can already deter and prevent such acts from happening,” Garma said.
He noted that security requirements vary among schools, particularly those with large campuses and student populations.
“There are schools that are really large. It’s not enough to have guards at the gate. We have to have roving guards also,” Garma explained.
The recent incidents have also renewed concerns over the availability of mental health services in schools, particularly the shortage of licensed guidance counselors.
Garma admitted that hiring qualified guidance professionals remains a challenge for the department.
“We’re not able to hire full-fledged guidance counselors,” he said. “In view of that, we are hiring what we call guidance counselor associates who will be performing the same function in the schools.”
According to DepEd, efforts are underway to deploy more guidance counselor associates nationwide, with thousands expected to be hired before the end of the year.
Meanwhile, the department has focused on providing psychosocial intervention and trauma support to students, teachers, and school personnel affected by the Tacloban tragedy.
“Those who have witnessed the crime will be able to ventilate what happened and be relieved of their trauma as much as possible,” Garma said.
The incidents have also prompted renewed discussions in Congress on youth crime, mental health services, and the implementation of laws involving children in conflict with the law.
For now, Garma said DepEd’s immediate concern is ensuring that victims and their families receive adequate assistance while authorities determine whether warning signs or security lapses were missed before the attack.
“Our priority is really to make sure that the victims are being treated and accommodated well and ample support and assistance are given to the victims and their families,” Garma said./PN
