Transparent backpacks given to Tacloban students after shooting

TACLOBAN CITY, LEYTE, Philippines — About 1,100 students of San Jose National High School (SJNHS), where three students were killed in a June 22 shooting, received transparent backpacks on Monday as part of efforts to strengthen school security and help restore their sense of safety.

The bags were donated by the Federation of Filipino Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry Inc. (FFCCCII) during a turnover ceremony at the school.

FFCCCII president Jimmy Yaokasin Jr. said the transparent bags would speed up security inspections at the school gates while allowing guards and school personnel to immediately see their contents.

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“The students are still in trauma. Just a big noise or unusual movements trigger them. This donation of transparent backpacks is part of our hope to restore their sense of security,” Yaokasin said.

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“This is the purpose of today’s activity. We want to provide a safe environment for them,” he added.

READ: Tacloban shooting: Student, school staff receive DepEd Heroes Award

The business group earlier donated a walk-through metal detector to the school as part of its assistance following the June 22 shooting, which left three students dead and several others injured.

Renewed calls

The attack prompted tighter security measures at the school and renewed calls for stronger security in educational institutions across the country.

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Grade 7 student Yannah Kaitlyn Ignacio welcomed the donation, saying the transparent bags would not only speed up inspections, but also give students a greater sense of security.

“Aside from having a fast inspection at the gate, this gives us a sense of security after what happened here in our school,” Ignacio said.

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Salvacion Macale, the school’s acting principal, thanked the FFCCCII for its continued support.

“It’s really a big help to us as this will give our students, in particular, a sense of security,” Macale said. /cb