Manila: The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has been conducting a simulation exercise for active shooting incidents in various public schools here as part of the efforts to keep campuses safe and secure. BCPO Director Col. Eugene Rebadomia stated that the Department of Education (DepEd) Bacolod Schools Division Office itself has requested the conduct of such exercises.
According to Philippines News Agency, Rebadomia mentioned during a press conference that previously, police station personnel would visit schools and request principals to conduct these activities, awaiting approval from the city schools superintendent. However, recent initiatives have seen the DepEd directly requesting these simulations. Mayor Greg Gasataya has also engaged with DepEd officials to discuss the critical need for heightened safety and security in school campuses.
The BCPO is coordinating these simulation exercises with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) and the local barangay councils. An active shooter simulation was recently conducted at Barangay Singcang-Airport National High School, led by the BCPO Special Weapons and Tactics Team. Assistance from CDRRMO staff, rescue volunteers, and village watchmen ensured that students and teachers learned the protocols to follow in the event of an active shooter scenario.
This initiative follows a tragic incident at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City last month, prompting the Philippine National Police (PNP) to instruct local police offices to coordinate with the DepEd in organizing active shooter drills nationwide. These drills aim to enhance the safety of students, teachers, and school personnel during emergencies.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara emphasized that the drills will focus on actions required during a gun attack within a school. These exercises are designed to establish an automatic protocol for school authorities to protect learners and staff in such situations.
