DepEd: Tacloban shooting, recent school violence remain isolated cases

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday maintained that the Tacloban shooting and other recent incidents of violence involving students remain isolated cases, but acknowledged the need for stricter implementation of school safety policies and closer collaboration with parents to prevent similar episodes in the future.

During an interview on GMA's "Unang Hirit," DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma said the department has already started reviewing and reinforcing security measures following the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.

"So, itong mga ito, even though that we are not treating this as minor, but hindi naman talaga masasabi natin na sporadic ito or malawakan. Medyo isolated pa din, depende sa mga sitwasyon natin," he said.

(While we are not treating these incidents as minor, we also cannot say they are widespread. They remain isolated cases, depending on the situation.)

Garma said DepEd officials promptly traveled to Tacloban following Monday's shooting upon the instruction of Education Secretary Sonny Angara to coordinate with local authorities and oversee assistance for victims.

The DepEd has worked with the Department of Health, Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Philippine National Police to ensure that injured students received medical care, while providing psychosocial support to victims, teachers, and school personnel affected by the tragedy.

He added that classes across Tacloban City were temporarily suspended to allow students and school personnel time to recover emotionally.

School violence

A resolution has been filed in the House of Representatives seeking an investigation in aid of legislation regarding recent incidents of school violence, including the Tacloban shooting.

Filed by Manila Second District Rep. Rolando Valeriano, House Resolution 1146 cites the June 22 shooting incident at San Jose National High School that left three students dead and wounded 20 others.

Before this, a Grade 8 learner allegedly entered a Grade 5 classroom at a private school in General Trias City, Cavite on June 16 and stabbed seven learners.

A few days later on June 20, a Grade 11 learner allegedly stabbed a schoolmate following a confrontation inside the premises of a public high school in Cavite City.

Also on Thursday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities prevented another alleged school attack in Leyte after Senator Bam Aquino alerted him Wednesday night about an online threat targeting Tolosa National High School.

He said the police immediately investigated the report and found that a 14-year-old student had allegedly posted online threats, but had no access to firearms. Authorities later determined that no organized attack was underway.

DepEd safety guidelines

Amid renewed concerns over campus security, Garma said schools are not reacting impulsively to the Tacloban incident, adding that the DepEd had already issued guidelines earlier this year to strengthen school safety through DepEd Order 6 of 2026.

According to Garma, the DepEd's Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment was issued following an earlier school shooting in Nueva Ecija.

"So, right after that incident, nag-review na kami ng aming mga polisiya pagdating sa paniniguro na ligtas ang ating mga eskwelahan," he stressed.

(Right after that incident, we reviewed our policies to ensure that our schools remain safe.)

The guidelines include the deployment of security guards, installation of CCTV cameras, use of metal detectors, and random bag inspections, although Garma acknowledged that implementation varies depending on the school's resources.

"I think that now is the issue. Gaano kaseryoso 'yung pag-implement nitong polisiya na ito," Garma said.

(I think the issue now is how seriously this policy is being implemented.)

He noted that San Jose National High School already had security guards, CCTV cameras, and random bag inspections before the shooting.

Parents urged to take active role

Stressing that schools alone cannot prevent violence, Garma said families play a crucial role in identifying behavioral problems before children enter the classroom.

"Kailangan talagang pag-usapan at ang pakikipagtulungan ng bahay, ng tahanan, ng magulang, ng pamilya at ng eskwelahan," he noted.

(There has to be cooperation involving the home, parents, families, and schools.)

He said many of the incidents did not necessarily originate inside schools, while some occurred outside school premises.

Worried parents

Meanwhile, National Parent Teacher Association (National PTA) President Willie Rodriguez echoed the need for stronger collaboration between schools and parents, saying many parents have expressed concerns following the recent incidents.

"Talaga pong nababahala (Parents are truly worried)," Rodriguez said.

He also said existing DepEd policies are generally sufficient but need to be enforced more consistently.

"Maganda 'yung policy ng DepEd… Ang problema po namin sa policy, 'yung implementation," Rodriguez said.

(DepEd's policies are good. Our concern is their implementation.)

He added that parent groups are willing to help schools strengthen campus safety through volunteer efforts and closer coordination with school administrators.

Need for communication platform

Moving forward, Garma said the DepEd is studying additional preventive measures, including promoting scouting and sports programs, creating more avenues for students to express concerns, and analyzing data to better understand patterns behind violent incidents.

"So what we would like to develop really is magkaroon ng platform for communication and expression sa mga eskwelahan natin," the DepEd official said.

(What we want to develop is a platform in schools where students can communicate and express themselves.)

He said the department is studying the role of social media and internet exposure, but emphasized that any policy should strike a balance between protecting learners and making productive use of technology.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez said the PTA has submitted proposals to DepEd, including parent education seminars, a national PTA summit, and programs aimed at strengthening parents' understanding of their responsibilities in raising children.

"We need to educate the parents on their rights, duties, and, most importantly, responsibilities," he said. — VDV, GMA News