Thousands of students at Manila Science High School took part in the Department of Education’s first active shooter drill on July 15, following a fatal shooting in Tacloban last month.
Over 1,700 students from Grades 7 to 12 and their teachers followed the “run-hide-fight” protocol during the exercise. An individual acting as an active shooter entered the campus while police simulated an apprehension.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the drills would be repeated often. “We will do it as often as we can. Kailangan ulit-ulitin ‘yan eh,” he told reporters.
The drill follows the June 22 shooting in Tacloban City that killed three students and wounded 20 others. Student Raya Pechayco, 17, said mental health monitoring is important for a safe school environment.
Angara noted the agency’s limited budget and plans to request funds for security guards and metal detectors in 2027. The department also intends to hire 10,000 school counselor associates, pending approval from the Department of Budget and Management.
