16/07/2026
๐ก๐๐ช๐ฆ | Family remains first line of defense in school safety, Aparri PNP says
Family remains the first line of defense in ensuring students' safety, an official of Aparri Municipal Police Station said this Thursday, highlighting that proper parental guidance and supervision are essential in preventing violence and criminal incidents in schools
The PNP โ Aparri conducted a school safety symposium for Grade 11 and Grade 12 students of Aparri East National High School (AENHS), emphasizing the importance of family involvement in maintaining a safe learning environment.
During the symposium, Police Major (PMAJ) Junneil A. Perez of the Aparri PNP stressed that parents play the most significant role in safeguarding learners.
"The first line of defense when it comes to the security of students is the family. It's not the school. It will always start with the family," Perez said.
Perez explained that schools, parents, teachers, students, and law enforcement agencies must work together to prevent violence and criminal activities on campus.
He identified bullying, family problems, and inadequate parental guidance as common factors behind school violence, citing the recent Tacloban shooting involving two students as an example.
"We don't blame the children; it's the parents' fault. But commonly, ito ang pinanggagalingan," he said.
Perez also warned that excessive exposure to violent online content and internet games may encourage learners to imitate criminal acts.
"According to the PNP, there's always the tendency of the phenomenon of copycat. Kung anong trending, ginagaya," Perez said, referring to bomb threats and other incidents that were reportedly carried out as pranks, revenge, or "for fun."
To help students respond during emergencies, Perez introduced the Run, Hide, Fight protocol. He advised learners to run to a safe area if possible, hide by securing themselves inside a room when escape is impossible, and fight only as a last option when facing an immediate threat.
Perez also presented PROJECT SMILES (Strategic Mandatory Inspection of Learners' Essential Supplies for Schools' Safety and Security), a school safety initiative that includes inspecting students' belongings using metal detectors.
"Kayo ang kauna-unahan sa Aparri na may metal detector," Perez told the students.
He likewise urged learners to immediately report any threats or suspicious activities to authorities instead of keeping them secret.
''Wag dapat tinatago. Dapat agad-agad sinasabi sa PNP," Perez said, warning that withholding information about serious threats may result in administrative and criminal liability.
๐๏ธ: Sherlyn Sabalburo
๐ป: Kara Diampoc
