PNP working with schools to tweak DepEd’s active shooter drills

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is now coordinating with schools to make adjustments to the upcoming nationwide Department of Education’s (DepEd) active shooter drill.

“We understand the sentiments of some advocacy and medical groups that drills must not cause unnecessary fear or distress among learners and teachers,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Local police offices are coordinating with school division heads and regional directors to determine the adjustments needed for the drills to ensure that these exercises strengthen preparedness while protecting the welfare of learners and teachers,” he noted.

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READ: PNP open to consultations on active school shooter drills

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Various DepEd divisions launched the drills following the June 22 shooting incident at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two students allegedly killed three schoolmates.

The department was set to mount a nationwide drill after the August 18 shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, where both a teenage gunman and his schoolmate died.

However, DepEd postponed the drill from August 25 to the first week of September, citing both concerns raised by psychologist groups and that face-to-face classes in several areas had been suspended due to inclement weather.

For their part, Nartatez said the PNP will continue to provide assistance and technical support to the DepEd, including the conduct of “non-traumatic approaches,” once the nationwide drill proceeds.

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“The postponement would allow time to align the exercises with expert recommendations,” the national police chief said.

“All the safety measures that the PNP discussed and recommended to the DepEd are anchored on the welfare and interest of the learners. And this will be a continuing and an evolving process with the end goal of making all schools safe and conducive to learning,” he added. /mr