Department of Education (DepEd) 7 Director Arturo Bayocot clarified that Department Order (DO) 006, Series of 2026, issued on July 7, 2026, prohibits mobile phone use by students only during class hours, not a total ban. The order, titled “Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment,” aims to address distractions and security concerns without completely eliminating devices from schools.
DepEd’s Stance on Mobile Phone Regulation
Bayocot emphasized that the DepEd does not impose a total ban on cellphones, contrary to some claims. “Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment does not declare a total ban on cellphones because we are already in the technology era,” he said. He acknowledged that mobile phones are widely used as learning tools in classrooms and that banning them would also hinder communication between children and parents during emergencies.
Bayocot recognized the initiative of Dumanjug Mayor Efren “Gungun” Gica regarding a proposed cellphone ban policy to address school violence. “It’s a good idea to think that there should no longer be cellphones. I know that the mayor’s objective is really to ensure safety and security,” Bayocot added. However, he stressed that local government unit (LGU) policies should complement national policy and align with DO 006, and that a total ban would place the burden of enforcement on teachers.
Security Measures Following Threats
Following recent online threats targeting schools in Cebu, officials from the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) and Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) have increased security presence. Lt. Col. Franco Rodulf Oriol, CCPO deputy director for administration, said the CCPO had already prepared and deployed personnel to schools even before the shooting incident in Tacloban, as part of the annual Oplan Balik Eskwela. The CCPO is prepared to provide security coverage to all 287 public and private schools in Cebu City.
Oriol noted that investigations showed the threats were isolated incidents driven by personal motives. The latest online threat involved a 13-year-old from Inayawan Elementary School, reported on July 3. The minor admitted the threat stemmed from frustration and immaturity, and was turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Services and the Gender and Development focal person.
Provincial Security and Deployment
For Cebu Province, Lt. Jose Rovic Villarin, CPPO deputy provincial director for operations, reported a total of 1,567 schools, including 1,357 public and 210 private institutions. An inventory showed schools currently employ about 490 security guards. The CPPO has 915 force multipliers and 861 police personnel available for deployment. All police stations have been directed to intensify security operations, increase police visibility, and reach remote communities.
When asked about banning cellphones to improve campus safety, Villarin said regulation would be more practical than a complete prohibition. Regarding the link between violent online games and youth crime, Oriol stated that police have not found sufficient evidence establishing a direct connection based on their investigations.
