Cebu City has created an inter-agency task force to strengthen school safety measures amid a series of bomb threats and online posts that have raised fears of possible attacks in educational institutions.
Mayor Nestor Archival Sr. signed an executive order creating the Cebu City Task Force Against School Violence, which will coordinate security policies, emergency response measures, mental health interventions, and violence prevention programs for public and private schools in the city.
The creation of the task force comes after several security incidents disrupted school communities in Cebu, including an alleged online shooting threat targeting a private school in Cebu City, a reported bomb threat at a mall in Cebu IT Park, and fresh online threats that led to class suspensions in several schools in Consolacion on Monday, Aug. 3.
In the executive order, Archival said recent incidents of gun violence involving minors in school settings highlight the need for “a unified, preemptive framework” to protect students, prevent campus violence, and address the spread of weapons in learning environments.
The order emphasized that school safety requires cooperation among local government units, law enforcement agencies, school officials, mental health professionals, parents, and communities.
Under the executive order, Archival will serve as chairperson of the task force, while Vice Mayor Donaldo “Dondon” Hontiveros will serve as vice chairperson.
Members include representatives from the Cebu City Council committees on Education, Public Order and Health; Cebu City Police Office; Department of Education-Cebu City Division; Commission on Higher Education Regional Office VII; Department of Social Welfare and Services; Local School Board; Liga ng mga Barangay; Sangguniang Kabataan Federation; and the Cebu City Parents-Teachers Association Federation.
The task force may also seek the participation of child protection advocates, youth organizations, mental health professionals, civil society groups, faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders.
Unlike a body focused only on crisis response, the task force will prioritize prevention by conducting school safety assessments, creating response protocols, organizing emergency drills, and recommending improvements to campus security systems.
It will also oversee initiatives addressing bullying, harassment, gang-related activities, substance abuse, and other risks affecting students and school personnel.
The group will establish referral and intervention mechanisms for learners identified as being at risk of violence, whether as victims, witnesses, or possible perpetrators, while ensuring compliance with child protection and data privacy regulations.
The executive order also directs the task force to coordinate counseling, psychosocial support, and mental health services before, during, and after critical incidents.
Beyond immediate response, the task force is expected to develop a Cebu City School Safety and Violence Prevention Program and recommend policies or legislation aimed at strengthening security in schools.
It will also monitor the implementation of school safety programs and submit annual accomplishment reports to the Cebu City Council and participating agencies.
The move follows several recent security incidents involving schools and public facilities in Cebu.
Last month, authorities investigated an alleged school shooting threat circulated online targeting Cebu Eastern College. A day later, police and emergency responders searched a mall in Cebu IT Park after receiving a bomb threat report. No explosive device was found, and authorities later declared the area safe.
On Monday, Aug. 3, several schools in Consolacion suspended face-to-face classes after threat messages circulated online. Local police and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group launched a digital investigation to identify the source of the posts.
Consolacion officials said classes would resume Tuesday, Aug. 4, after authorities found no immediate physical threat. Additional police personnel, SWAT teams, and barangay tanods were deployed around schools as a precaution while investigations continue.
Photo courtesy of PNA
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