Jamaine Punzalan

Police gather at Ateneo de Zamboanga University following a shooting at the school in Zamboanga on August 18, 2026. Gabriel Vince Pallalos,  AFP

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

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/178762389789620260818-school-shooting-ateneo-zamboanga-AFP-2 (1).jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Police gather at Ateneo de Zamboanga University following a shooting at the school in Zamboanga on August 18, 2026. Gabriel Vince Pallalos,  AFP </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are using the postponement of the nationwide school safety drills as an opportunity to further strengthen the exercises and ensure they are safe and appropriate for learners.</p><p>In a statement on Tuesday, PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police units were coordinating with DepEd officials to refine the conduct of the drills. </p><p>“All the safety measures that the PNP discussed and recommended to the DepEd are anchored on the welfare and interest of the learners,” Nartatez said. </p><p>“This will be a continuing and an evolving process with the end goal of making all schools safe and conducive to learning,” he added. </p><p>The coordination came after the <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/24/deped-postpones-nationwide-live-shooter-drills-0917">nationwide school safety drills scheduled for August 25 were postponed </a>following calls from advocacy and medical groups to defer the exercises and ensure that they are aligned with psychosocial and child protection measures.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/24/student-safety-requires-more-than-tighter-security-house-members-say-1855">Student safety requires more than tighter security, House members say </a></div><p>DepEd also cited <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2026/8/25/obet-leaves-par-to-continue-stirring-monsoon-rains-0937">inclement weather</a> and the suspension of face-to-face classes as reasons for the postponement.</p><p>Nartatez said the PNP respects concerns that active shooter drills could cause unnecessary fear or distress among students and teachers.</p><p>“We understand the sentiments of some advocacy and medical groups that drills must not cause unnecessary fear or distress among learners and teachers,” he said.</p><p>The PNP chief said police units would continue providing technical assistance once the nationwide drills resume.</p><p>“The PNP will continue its commitment to conducting non-traumatic approaches that will help ensure the safety and security of students and teachers in schools,” Nartatez said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>DILG SEEKS TOUGHER GUN CALLS </strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, amid renewed scrutiny of firearms following the<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/18/ateneo-mourns-after-school-shooting-leaves-2-students-dead-no-one-would-want-this-to-happen-1620"> recent school shooting in Zamboanga City</a>, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla is pushing for tougher penalties against illegal possession of loose firearms.</p><p>Remulla wants illegal possession of loose firearms to become a non-bailable offense punishable by up to 20 years in prison.</p><p>Remulla said the current penalties were not enough to deter illegal gun possession because suspects could still post bail while their cases are pending.</p><p>“When you catch someone with loose firearms, it’s bailable. Lalabas ka lang. You have a record pero bailable, then you go to a hearing,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.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><p>Remulla said congressional leaders were working on amendments to strengthen the firearms law and were expected to fast-track the measure.</p><p>The DILG chief said tougher penalties could help address a wider range of crimes involving firearms.</p><p>Remulla also called for greater accountability among licensed gun owners, stressing that firearm ownership comes with the responsibility to ensure that weapons are properly secured and cannot be accessed by unauthorized persons.</p><p>“The government should have the right to inspect their homes at any time and to see if the guns are in safekeeping at any time,” he said.</p><p>“It is a privilege granted in the Philippines. It is a privilege, not a right,” he added. </p><p>The call followed the Zamboanga City school shooting, where a minor reportedly gained access to legally owned firearms that had been left inside a vehicle.</p><p>Remulla said the incident highlights the need to strictly enforce firearm policies, particularly among uniformed personnel entrusted with government-issued weapons.</p><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/W7F-Xa1rDe4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><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/ln45LI_lXKo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are using the postponement of the nationwide school safety drills as an opportunity to further strengthen the exercises and ensure they are safe and appropriate for learners.</p>

The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) are using the postponement of the nationwide school safety drills as an opportunity to further strengthen the exercises and ensure they are safe and appropriate for learners.

PNP, DepEd to refine school safety drills; DILG seeks tougher gun law

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PNP, DepEd to refine school safety drills; DILG seeks tougher gun law

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 25, 2026 10:15 AM PHT

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