Philippines Strengthens School Safety After Rare Shooting

A shooting at a public high school in Tacloban on June 22 killed three students and injured 20 others, the first such incident in the Philippines. The attackers, aged 14 and 15, used a 9mm Glock pistol and a .38‑caliber revolver. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered an investigation, and senior civil‑defence official Rafaelito Alejandro said, “This will change how we prepare our schools for safety, not just for earthquakes.” The government is fast‑tracking emergency preparedness and training for gun‑related incidents.

In response, Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong launched tabletop active‑shooter exercises in July at two public schools, with plans for all 67 city public schools and 85 private schools to develop response plans. The drills involve the Department of Education, the city disaster office, police, barangay officials and parent‑teacher groups.

The Philippine National Police also warned it will trace and prosecute anyone behind recent online threats targeting schools, with PNP public‑information chief Col. Allen Rae Co stating, “We will find you, we will be able to trace you, and we will file the necessary charges.”