TACLOBAN ATTACK AFTERMATH: Security in Cebu City schools tightened

Local

IN THE wake of the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City, police in Cebu City are rolling out tighter security measures in schools.

This includes intensified police deployments, campus security assessments, stricter access controls, and closer coordination with students, parents, and school officials.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) announced Tuesday, June 23, that it has begun implementing what it calls "school hardening" measures across both public and private educational institutions to prevent a similar tragedy from occurring in the city.

Col. Franco Rudolf Oriol, CCPO’s spokesperson and deputy city director for administration, said the initiative involves strengthening security operations already in place since the opening of classes.

“Part of the CCPO’s response is to intensify our school hardening measures and security protocols in different schools,” Oriol said during a press conference.

While police officers have already been deployed to schools throughout Cebu City, Oriol said the recent attack in Tacloban has prompted the police force to expand its security presence further.

“We are intensifying police deployment in public and private schools. Aside from security personnel, we are also increasing mobile and motorcycle patrols,” he said.

The CCPO is also conducting a comprehensive review of school vulnerabilities, particularly campus entry points and access control systems.

According to Oriol, intelligence personnel have been directed to assess security conditions in schools and identify possible gaps that could allow weapons to enter school grounds.

“We have tasked our intelligence personnel to conduct and review security assessments in all schools, including access control measures, to prevent the entry of bladed weapons and firearms and avoid a similar incident to what happened in Tacloban,” he said.

Among the measures being considered are tighter inspections at school entrances, including the possible checking of students' bags.

Oriol said strengthening access control is a key part of the city's preventive strategy.

“That is exactly our goal — to tighten access control and prevent bladed weapons, firearms, and even glass bottles from entering school campuses,” he said.

Police officers may assist in conducting inspections where necessary, although schools with existing security personnel will primarily receive recommendations from authorities on how to strengthen their screening procedures.

At the same time, the CCPO is evaluating whether schools have sufficient security coverage.

Some campuses, Oriol noted, have multiple access points but limited personnel assigned to monitor them.

“We are conducting security assessments to determine which schools have security personnel and which do not. Some schools have several access points but only one guard. Based on our findings, we can recommend additional security measures aside from police presence and barangay tanods,” he said.

Beyond physical security, police are also looking at strengthening communication and engagement within school communities.

Oriol said station commanders will be tasked to hold dialogues with students, parents, and school administrators as part of a broader effort to identify concerns early and prevent incidents before they occur.

The approach, he said, combines security visibility with community participation and awareness.

The security review comes as Cebu City Hall prepares to gather school administrators, education officials, law enforcement agencies, and other stakeholders to discuss campus safety and emergency preparedness.

Mayor Nestor Archival earlier said the city would coordinate with the Department of Education, school principals, police, and response agencies to assess existing security measures and determine what additional safeguards may be needed.

Expected topics include campus access control, visitor monitoring systems, emergency reporting mechanisms, and coordination between schools and authorities during security incidents.

The CCPO is expected to take part in the discussions.

Despite the heightened security measures, Oriol assured the public that police response capability remains strong.

“Our response time remains within three to five minutes. We conduct simulation exercises every day, and so far we have proven that we can respond immediately,” he said.

The heightened security push follows Monday's shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where two students allegedly opened fire inside the campus.

Police said three students were killed while 20 others were injured, including 15 who sustained gunshot wounds.

The two suspects, aged 14 and 15, are currently under the custody of the City Social Welfare and Development Office while investigators continue to determine the motive behind the attack.(TGP)