DepEd steps up coordination with PNP, stakeholders to secure schools amid shooting incidents
By Niña Jonalyn B. Gambe-Diamante
BUTUAN CITY (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) Caraga has reinforced its collaboration with public and private sector partners to implement a long-term, whole-of-nation approach toward school safety and security, following growing concerns over recurring shooting incidents in secondary schools nationwide in recent months.
Regional Information Officer (RIO) Pedro A. Tecson expressed the administration’s concern over the violent incidents. “We are deeply saddened by the recent news of school shootings, especially since, as the Department of Education, it is expected of us to foster a positive mentality and a peaceful and loving learning environment for our learners,” Tecson said.
While national incidents have raised alarm, Tecson clarified that the Caraga region remains free of actual violent incidents.
“For the Caraga region, fortunately, we have not encountered such cases yet. Although we have received some information about students allegedly making threats, it turned out to be mere jokes. There were also some that were prevented through intervention,” he added.
To ensure campus safety, DepEd Caraga is coordinating closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP). In response, the PNP Caraga launched ‘Bantay Eskwelahan,’ an initiative designed to enhance police visibility and security coverage across learning institutions.
“Police visibility can indeed deter any crime. Which is why we ensure that we coordinate regularly with our PNP, since we are dealing with the safety of minors,” Tecson explained. “Our regional director even maintains open communication with our police personnel, especially in making decisions related to school safety.”
Alongside law enforcement measures, DepEd Caraga has heightened its institutional safeguards through Regional Memorandum No. 0863, series of 2026. This policy adopts DepEd Order No. 006, series of 2026, known as the “Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE).”
Under Regional Memorandum No. 0863, s. 2026, all public elementary and secondary schools across the region are mandated to formulate and execute a Students’ Safety and Security Plan. The memorandum aims to establish standardized security protocols, institutionalize proactive crisis management strategies, and foster an inclusive, safe, and supportive educational atmosphere that deters potential acts of violence before they manifest.
As a long-term, proactive intervention, DepEd is also moving to reinforce its learners’ rights protection officers (LRPOs).
“We are already looking at adding more LRPOs and maximizing our current pool of guidance counselors and licensed psychologists to assist the schools,” Tecson stated. “They will be responsible for guiding the teachers on how to deal with students, especially those who show aggressive or violent behaviors. This will be a proactive intervention to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.”
Tecson underscored that curbing gun violence requires involvement outside the classroom, calling on parents to play an active role in their children’s guidance.
“Violence in schools is a multi-factor issue. There are several factors that could be attributed to this. But before anything else, we all know that their greatest influence comes from their parents, who can use their influence to prevent children from making wrong decisions,” he said.
He also reminded gun-owning parents to exercise strict responsibility by properly securing firearms and keeping them completely out of the reach of children. (NJGD, PIA Caraga)
