PH drills aim to safeguard students from armed intruders

MANILA, Philippines — As an alarm reverberated throughout a Philippine high school on Thursday, students scrambled behind locked doors and police swept corridors in a drill aimed at preparing for an attack once unthinkable in the Southeast Asian country. About 3,000 junior and senior high school students at Carlos F. Gonzales High School north of Manila participated in the exercise, which simulated the response to a potential intruder on campus. The drill involved students learning to report suspicious activity, evacuate to safe zones, and barricade themselves in classrooms while police conducted a simulated sweep to neutralize the threat. While attacks on educational institutions have been rare in the Philippines, the exercise reflects a growing concern for student safety amid evolving regional and global security landscapes. School officials emphasized the importance of preparedness for any eventuality. Authorities hope such drills will enhance the safety awareness of students and staff and improve coordination during emergencies. The school plans to conduct similar exercises regularly to continuously bolster its security measures. Information from: Inquirer NewsInfo