The Department of Education has announced plans to roll out active shooter drills across public schools in preparation for armed attacks.
According to Education Secretary Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara, the drill is a response to the recent shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two minors killed three students and injured 20 others.
The drill aims to establish strict protocols in cases of a school shooting, and will include automatic protocols for responding to active shooters.
The Education chief added that he will coordinate with the Philippine National Police to address the rising number of bomb threats among schools nationwide.
Several schools across the country have received bomb threats in recent weeks, including Amadeo National High School in Amadeo, Cavite, and Quezon National High School.
DepEd has warned that bomb jokes or threats fall under the third level of offense, and students who make such threats may face non-readmission or exclusion from school.
The agency is also offering Psychological First Aid to students, families, and teachers who have been traumatized by recent school incidents.
SJNHS has officially resumed its face-to-face classes following the fatal shooting, and hundreds of people were traumatized by the incident.
