The Department of Education (DepEd) has reported a significant increase in school-related violence incidents across the Philippines, citing the deadly Tacloban shooting as a catalyst for the 'copycat' phenomenon.

During a Senate Basic Education Committee hearing, DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma noted that the Philippine National Police (PNP) warned of a tendency for students to imitate such tragic events, leading to a surge in violent incidents.

Recent reports include a stabbing incident in Negros Occidental and an intercepted school attack in Leyte, with several schools in Tarlac province facing bomb threats.

Garma emphasized that preventing such violence is challenging due to factors like intention, motivation, and influence, which are beyond the scope of institutional security measures.

DepEd plans to enhance safety protocols by incorporating active shooter drills into regular school drills, following a planned exercise at Manila Science High School.

The incident highlights the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address school violence and ensure student safety, despite the limitations of current preventive measures.