DepEd Observes Rise in School Violence Post-Tacloban Shooting

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said it has observed an increase in the number of school-related violence incidents in the country following the deadly Tacloban shooting on June 22. In a Senate Basic Education Committee hearing, DepEd Undersecretary for Governance and Operations Malcolm Garma said the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned there is always a tendency of a "copycat" phenomenon after the tragic incident. "Even before mayroon na tayong mga reports in these kinds of incidents. However, ang observation namin after the Tacloban incident mas lalong dumami," Garma told the Senate panel. (Even before we received reports of these kinds of incidents. However, based on our observation, it increased after the Tacloban incident.) "Sabi ng PNP when we had a meeting with them, there's always the tendency of the phenomenon of copycat. Nagiging mas curious sila, especially knowing the story behind the Tacloban incident," he said. (The PNP said there's always the tendency of the phenomenon of copycat. Students become curious, especially because they know the story of the Tacloban incident.) Senator Bam Aquino, chair of the Senate committee, said at least 12 incidents of school-related violence were reported across the country in the last 20 days. These include the reported stabbing incident on a Grade 9 student in Negros Occidental on June 23; and an intercepted school attack in Leyte on June 24. Several schools in Tarlac province also received bomb threats, namely in Capas town and Tarlac City on June 23, resulting in precautionary measures and police response. According to Garma, the DepEd wants to prevent the "copycat" phenomenon and ensure public safety at schools. "Medyo mahirap Mr. Chair because this is something that we can say is beyond DepEd because what we can't prevent are three things: intention, motivation, influence. Even if we secure our schools in terms of security, gagawin at gagawin talaga," he said. (This is difficult because this is something that we can say is beyond DepEd. Because what we can't prevent are three things: intention, motivation, influence. Even if we secure our schools in terms of security, if they want to do it, they could do it.) Meanwhile, the DepEd official said Manila Science High School will hold a drill to teach students and teachers on how to respond to an "active shooter" on Friday, July 10. "While we have institutionalized fire drills and earthquakes, we're looking into embedding drills on active shooting, as part of regular drills in our schools," Garma added. — VDV, GMA News