Philippines conducts nationwide school safety drills

The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) conducted a nationwide simultaneous school safety drill to test emergency preparedness and response capabilities. In Davao City, Davao City National High School participated in simulated scenarios involving a stabbing and an active shooting to evaluate evacuation procedures and coordination with law enforcement and local government agencies. DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara noted that safety measures should encompass both physical security and the mental well-being of students and staff.

While the drills focus on immediate response to active threats, recent data from Agile Data Solutions highlights a need for improved prevention and reporting. A survey of 1,900 respondents found that 86.7% consider school threats very serious. Common threats reported include bullying with violent intent, physical violence, online threats, and bomb threats. The study also identified barriers to reporting, such as fear of retaliation, distrust in authorities, and fear of being wrong, suggesting a need for clearer reporting channels within schools.