The Philippine National Police (PNP) is backing the creation of a Joint School Safety Task Force with the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as authorities move to strengthen security in schools following a series of violent incidents involving students.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the proposed task force could conduct localized risk assessments and coordinate security measures based on the specific vulnerabilities of individual schools.
The proposal was put forward by Education Secretary Sonny Angara following the September 18 shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, where two students were killed and eight others were injured. The student identified as the shooter also died. The incident was the latest in a series of deadly school shootings reported in the country in recent months.
Nartatez said the PNP plans to discuss with DepEd and DILG how barangay officials and barangay tanods could serve as additional security support around schools. He noted that the country has more than 42,000 barangays and 49,213 public and private schools, creating a potentially large community-based network for school safety.
The PNP also plans to examine school-security practices used in other countries, including policies involving mobile phones and other gadgets. Nartatez said these approaches will be discussed as part of the broader review rather than presented as an immediate nationwide policy.
Another major focus is online safety. Nartatez directed the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to intensify cyber-patrolling and surveillance of online spaces that may promote or glorify violence, particularly those accessible to minors. He emphasized that police action should be based on verified information and existing laws.
The proposed task force comes as the government examines how recent school attacks occurred and whether gaps exist in campus security, threat reporting, firearm access and online-risk monitoring. Authorities have been investigating the circumstances surrounding the Banga shooting, including the student’s reported online activity and how the firearm used in the attack was accessed.
The initiative also comes alongside legislative efforts. The Senate recently approved the Comprehensive School Safety Act on third and final reading. The measure seeks to establish a National School Safety Framework covering localized risk assessments, emergency response, CCTV systems and counseling and psychological support, among other measures.
With DepEd, DILG and the PNP now working toward a coordinated assessment of school security, the proposed task force could become a central mechanism for identifying vulnerabilities and improving prevention and response measures across campuses nationwide.
