Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival, along with police officials, the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and Councilor Paul Labra, convened at Cebu City Hall to discuss the implementation of stricter security measures in schools across the city.
Background: Tacloban School Shooting
The meeting was prompted by a school shooting in Tacloban City on June 22, 2026, which resulted in the deaths of three students and injuries to nearly 20 individuals. The incident has raised concerns about school safety nationwide.
Simulation Exercises Planned
Police Lieutenant Colonel Franco Rodulf Oriol, Deputy City Director for Administration of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), revealed that one of the key proposals discussed was the conduct of simulation exercises patterned after the Tacloban incident. According to Oriol, the drills are designed to assess the preparedness of police, teachers, and students in the event of an active shooter situation on campus.
"The simulation will include realistic scenarios, including the sound of gunfire, to train teachers and students not to panic," Oriol explained. The exercises aim to measure the speed and effectiveness of police response within minutes.
Deployment of Police Hotlines
The CCPO has already deployed its police hotlines to all public and private schools in Cebu City to ensure immediate contact during emergencies. This allows schools to quickly alert authorities, enabling a faster response time.
Multi-Agency Support
In addition to the CCPO, the Bureau of Fire Protection, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, and other government agencies are expected to participate and support the training exercises. The collaborative effort aims to enhance overall school security and emergency preparedness.
