TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol (PIA) — The Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) has intensified security measures in schools following the June 22 fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City.
In a statement on June 23, the BPPO said it was saddened by the shooting.
BPPO Provincial Director Police Col. Patricio Degay Jr. directed all police units in Bohol to strengthen security measures, particularly in schools.
The directive aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s call on June 22 for stronger security in schools nationwide following the Tacloban shooting.
“Isip mga tinugyanan sa pagpanalipod sa kinabuhi, dako ang among kasubo sa maong insidente. Tungod niini, ang kapolisan sa Bohol mas mupahugot pa sa mga security measures ug makigtambayayong sa mga tunghaan. Kami nanghinaot nga pinaagi sa atong hiniusang paningkamot, mapugngan ang susamang panghitabo dinhi sa atong lalawigan,” Degay said.
(As authorities mandated to protect lives, we are deeply saddened by the incident. The Bohol police will further tighten security measures and work with schools. We hope that through our joint efforts, similar incidents can be prevented in our province.)
Degay said student safety is the responsibility not only of the police but of the entire community, and called for the cooperation of parents, teachers, local governments and the youth to maintain a safe learning environment.
FIREARMS AUDIT
Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap directed the Tagbilaran City Police Office to conduct an immediate audit of all firearms in its custody, following reports that a service firearm issued to a police officer was used in the Tacloban shooting.
In a statement on June 23, Yap ordered Tagbilaran City Police Office chief Police Lt. Col. Joey Bicoy to carry out a full inventory and audit of all firearms, including service weapons assigned to police personnel.
Yap said the measure was prompted by the shooting, which she said raised concerns about firearm accountability in law enforcement.
“Public safety remains our highest priority,” Yap said, adding that existing rules on firearm accountability, safekeeping and custody must be strictly observed.
Yap said the audit would help verify that all government-issued firearms are accounted for and secured, and that proactive steps are needed to prevent incidents that threaten public safety. (Elvira C. Bongosia/PIA-7 Bohol)
