DepEd Orders Tighter School Security in Western Visayas After Stabbings
ILOILO CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered all school division offices in Western Visayas to enhance school security following a series of stabbing incidents. These violent acts occurred recently in the provinces of Iloilo and Antique, raising concerns about student safety on campuses.
Restituto Eco, the officer-in-charge regional director of DepEd Region 6, issued the directive after reports of stabbings surfaced in San Joaquin and Antique last week. An additional altercation between students in Dumangas, Iloilo, was also noted, according to local education officials.
Heightened Security Measures for Schools
Eco emphasized that schools, especially those considered “hotspots” for bullying and those with large student populations, must work closely with the regional office to address these incidents. Coordination between school officials and security personnel is vital to prevent further violence.
In addition, school authorities were instructed to conduct regular roving patrols across campuses to detect and deter any potential threats. These measures aim to create a safer environment for students and staff alike.
Strategic Planning to Prevent Future Incidents
The DepEd regional office released a memorandum requiring all school division offices to design and implement action plans. These plans should focus on preventing similar violent incidents and include contingency strategies in case such events occur again.
The recent stabbing cases involved students from the San Joaquin School of Fisheries and the Antique National School. Both incidents resulted in injuries, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive safety protocols.
Local leaders and education officials underscored their commitment to ensuring students’ well-being. They encouraged parents and community members to stay vigilant and support schools in maintaining peace and order.
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