Butuan: Personnel from the Butuan City Police Office (BCPO), Department of Education (DepEd) Butuan Division, and the Butuan City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office led the National Simultaneous School Safety Drill at the Butuan City School of Arts and Trade (BCSAT).

According to Philippines News Agency, the nationwide drill, initiated by DepEd, aims to strengthen school security and emergency preparedness. The implementation involved local government units and partner agencies, including the Office of Civil Defense, Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection, and local Disaster Risk Reduction Management Offices. "The drill is a proactive move to reinforce campus security and emergency preparedness," stated BCPO Director Col. Richie Yatar after the event, highlighting the comprehensive "Lockdown Drill Proper," simulating active threat scenarios inside the BCSAT campus.

Col. Yatar explained that the activity aimed to educate students and faculty on the critical "Run, Hide, Fight" survival strategy during simulated threats. He commended the active participation of students, faculty members, and DepEd officials, stressing the importance of collaboration between the PNP and the academic community for swift and organized responses to potential security breaches.

Janine, a 20-year-old BCSAT student, expressed her gratitude for the lessons learned during the drill, noting it was more advanced than earthquake drills she had experienced in the past. She emphasized the higher level of risk posed by security threats in schools, requiring expert-led exercises, particularly by the PNP.

Donald, another BCSAT student, highlighted the importance of evacuation demonstrations, stressing the need for calmness and speed during active threats. He appreciated the focus on identifying exits in classrooms and facilities, expressing his gratitude to DepEd and the PNP for imparting vital emergency response knowledge.

Yatar concluded that such drills are crucial for transforming panic into practiced, life-saving responses, aiming to help schools refine contingency plans so that every student and teacher knows precisely what to do when every second counts.