BARMM cops beef up school security after Tacloban shooting

COTABATO CITY  – Uniformed police personnel have been deployed to public schools across the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as part of heightened security measures following the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City.

The fatal shooting at the San Jose National High School on Monday in Tacloban City left three dead and 20 wounded.

READ: School shooting kills 3 students in Tacloban

Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, regional director of the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR), said the police force remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of students, teachers, and school communities throughout the region.

Abecia said strengthening school safety initiatives is part of PRO-BAR’s continuing efforts to create a secure and supportive learning environment.

He directed all police units in the region to intensify police visibility, maintain regular coordination with school authorities, and actively engage with stakeholders to help safeguard educational institutions.

“PRO-BAR continues to promote a culture of safety within and around educational institutions,” Abecia said in a statement.

“These efforts are further strengthened through the support of the community and other law enforcement agencies, whose cooperation is vital in sustaining peace and security,” he added.

BARMM includes the provinces of Maguindanao del Sur, Maguindanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi. 

READ: Marcos orders thorough probe of Tacloban school shooting

Loose firearms in the hands of civilians are among the major security issues affecting the region, with young children seen on social media brandishing and firing guns in the region’s remote communities.

In a separate statement, PRO-BAR underscored that schools are not only places of learning but also spaces that should provide peace of mind and security for students, teachers, and school personnel.

To achieve this, the regional police office continues to strengthen programs to maintain peace and order within and around schools across BARMM.

Abecia said that through increased police presence, regular coordination with school authorities, and active participation in school-based activities, PRO-BAR seeks to deepen cooperation between the police and the education sector.

These initiatives form part of a broader effort to foster a community that collectively safeguards the welfare of the youth, he added.

Abecia said the safety of learners is a responsibility that must be shared by families, schools, communities, and government institutions.

Through collective action, authorities hope to ensure that schools remain safe environments where the next generation can learn and thrive./coa