DILG, DepEd to ink agreement boosting security inside schools
Following the tragic shooting incident in Zamboanga City, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are set to sign an agreement to strengthen security measures inside school premises.
“Mayroon na kaming memorandum circular (on tightening security protocols in schools) na pipirmahan ng Department of Education,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed during a press conference this morning at the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
Remulla said the agreement between the DILG and DepEd seeks to strengthen security within school premises through the presence of barangay tanods, who are familiar not only with their respective communities but also with the students themselves.
“Ang hinihingi namin ay payagan ang barangay tanod na maglagay ng station sa loob ng mga eskuwelahan,” he underscored.
“Kasi ang mga barangay tanod kilala nila ‘yang mga batang ‘yan, puwede nilang kausapin, puwede nilang sitahin, so ‘yun ang hinihiling namin na further security step na pumasok doon,” he explained.
Remulla said the PNP’s presence is currently limited to school perimeters, emphasizing the need to strengthen security within school grounds, where incidents involving students may also take place.
In an earlier interview, Remulla said DepEd and the PNP had signed a memorandum circular directing police officers to monitor and implement security measures outside public schools nationwide.
The DILG chief further said the agreement with DepEd will likewise address school bullying, citing practices implemented at Ateneo de Manila University as a possible benchmark for measures that may be adopted in other schools.
“Incidents of bullying should not be taken lightly… There are steps that we can take together para mangyari iyan, pero may hakbang na kami ng DepEd para dyan,” he emphasized.
The DILG remains committed to investigating the recent tragic shooting incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University as it continues to work with DepEd, the PNP, local government units, and other relevant government agencies and private institutions to strengthen measures aimed at protecting students from crime, violence, bullying, and other threats to their safety.