DepEd mounts first active shooter drill

Some students find it ‘unusual’ and ‘shocking’ to be participating in an active shooter drill

MANILA, Philippines – Thousands of students at Manila Science High School joined the first active shooter drill of the Department of Education (DepEd) on Wednesday, July 15, as part of efforts to beef up school safety and thwart campus violence. 

During the drill, over 1,700 students from Grades 7 to 12 and teachers observed the “run-hide-fight” protocol as an individual pretending to be an active shooter “infiltrated” campus premises.

Police were also present to assist them and to simulate apprehending the assailant.

“We will do it (the drill) as often as we can. Kailangan ulit-ulitin ‘yan eh (We need to repeat it),” Education Secretary Sonny Angara told reporters.

The drill came following the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City on June 22, which killed three students and wounded 20 others.

Mental health services 

Rappler talked to some students who found it “unusual” and “shocking” to participate in an active shooter drill, as school shootings are virtually unheard of in the country.

Students like 17-year-old Raya Pechayco hope the DepEd would ensure that everyone has access to mental health services.

“It’s really important to monitor the mental health of children, our mental health,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.

“Continuous monitoring and communication with students can create a healthy and safe school environment,” she added.

A campus journalist also asked Angara regarding the DepEd’s measures to prevent incidents of school violence. The DepEd chief admitted that they have a limited budget for now, but vowed they would seek more funding for security guards and metal detectors for 2027.

He also mentioned that the agency is set to hire 10,000 school counselor associates, pending approval from the Department of Budget and Management.

– Rappler.com