Jamaine Punzalan

Police gather at a school following a shooting in Zamboanga on August 18, 2026. Roel Parreno,  AFP

Article (news)

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178728675680920260818-school-shooting-ateneo-zamboanga-AFP (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Police gather at a school following a shooting in Zamboanga on August 18, 2026. Roel Parreno, AFP </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said it would mobilize a sufficient number of personnel and resources for the nationwide<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/nationwide-school-safety-drill-set-on-aug-25-1616"> school safety drills </a>set by the Department of Education (DepEd) on August 25, as the agency commits to extend a “full and strong support system” to establish protocols during safety threats and emergency situations.</p><p>In a statement, PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr. said local police units were directed to coordinate closely with school authorities and barangay officials before and during the exercises.</p><p>The coordination will cover police response, communication, and other procedures that may be needed during an actual emergency.</p><p>“We have been involved in crafting measures to ensure the protection of learners and every learning space. The hard work is not yet done since your PNP will also be there to make sure that these safety measures are properly implemented in every school,” Nartatez said.</p><p>The school safety drills were<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/7/15/deped-pilots-nationwide-active-threat-drills-as-part-of-school-safety-summit-1713"> initially tested in some schools</a> after the PNP and the DepEd, in coordination with other stakeholders, crafted the protocol for teachers’ and learners’ safety.</p><p>Nartatez said the drills would help students, teachers, and other school personnel understand what to do when confronted with a security threat. Police units will also use the exercises to test and improve coordination with school authorities and local government officials.</p><p>“These drills will intensify coordination mechanisms among the police, school authorities, and barangay officials especially whenever there are threat situations,” the police chief said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/24/what-to-do-in-case-of-mass-shooting-pnp-releases-safety-guide-1407">What to do in case of mass shooting: PNP releases safety guide</a></div><p>The DepEd will spearhead the nationwide school safety drills on August 25 following recent incidents of school violence in the country.</p><p>Two students of Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School, including an alleged 14-year-old shooter, died in the gun attack on August 18.</p><p>The incident happened nearly two months after two students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, killing three students. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/health-science/2026/8/19/school-shooting-psychiatrist-warns-of-copycat-risk-lists-possible-warning-signs-1155">School shooting: Psychiatrist warns of copycat risk, lists possible &#x27;warning signs&#x27; </a></div><p>Both incidents involved firearms issued to government personnel.</p><div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2026/8/21/how-do-teenagers-keep-accessing-guns-in-southeast-asia-1005">How do teenagers keep accessing guns in Southeast Asia? </a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>STRICTER FIREARM SECURITY RULES </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The PNP is set to strengthen accountability measures among its personnel to prevent children and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to police-issued weapons.</p><p>Nartatez directed police commanders to remind all police personnel of the proper storage and handling of firearms, particularly while they are off duty and at home.</p><p>He ordered police commanders to conduct firearm-accountability reminders during unit briefings and formations to strengthen awareness among personnel and prevent incidents resulting from improperly secured firearms.</p><p>“We remind all our personnel to exercise utmost responsibility in securing their firearms, especially when they are off duty and at home. Firearms must never be left in places where children or unauthorized persons can gain access to them,” Nartatez said.</p><p>“Here in the PNP, we will continue to remind our personnel that owning or carrying a firearm comes with a serious responsibility. One moment of negligence can result in the loss of life. We support calls for stricter accountability among gun owners. Responsible storage is non-negotiable,” he added.</p><div><a href="http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/dilg-again-calls-for-stricter-gun-laws-in-wake-of-another-school-shooting-1246">DILG calls for stricter gun laws in wake of Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting </a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zRfT9K9fm6Y?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police on Friday said it would mobilize a sufficient number of personnel and resources for the nationwide school safety drills on August 25. </p>

The Philippine National Police on Friday said it would mobilize a sufficient number of personnel and resources for the nationwide school safety drills on August 25.

PNP to mobilize personnel, resources for nationwide school safety drills

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PNP to mobilize personnel, resources for nationwide school safety drills

Michael Delizo,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 21, 2026 12:35 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

school violence

school safety drills

DepED

gun safety

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