Palace open to school phone ban

A student holding a smartphone submits a bag for inspection while entering Parañaque National High School in this photo released by the Department of Education (DepEd) on June 26, 2026 amid heightened security measures being implemented around public learning institutions nationwide. (Courtesy: DepEd Philippines)

Malacañang expressed support for efforts to limit mobile phone use in public schools as part of security measures even as it raised concern on the penalties to be imposed by the municipality of Dumanjug in Cebu.

The Department of Education (DepEd) is also eyeing to adopt mandatory bag inspections and the setting up of walk-through and handheld metal detectors in schools following the recent shooting spree in a school in Tacloban City.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the administration recognizes the intent behind the policy implemented by the Municipality of Dumanjug, which imposed a total cellphone ban in public schools beginning June 29.

“The objective is good because it aims to help students concentrate more on their studies,” she said.

“(But) based on what we have read, the confiscated phones will only be returned after the school year. I do not know whether that penalty is appropriate, justified, or reasonable,” Castro said.

Asked whether Malacañang would support a nationwide cellphone ban, Castro said the Palace has already sought the opinion of Education Secretary Sonny Angara and is awaiting his recommendation.

She noted that several schools, particularly private institutions, already prohibit mobile phone use during class hours while allowing students to use their devices in emergencies.

Castro said the Palace is also open to studying Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s proposal to amend the country’s firearms law to strengthen public safety in schools.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier directed concerned agencies to determine the underlying causes of school violence, including whether copycat behavior or exposure to violent content is contributing to the incidents.

Security personnel inspect the bags of students entering their campus in this photo released by the Department of Education (DepEd) on June 29, 2026. (Courtesy: DepEd Philippines) 

The Batangas City Integrated High School (BCIHS) had to suspend classes yesterday due to reported threats of a school shooting.

BCIHS said classes will resume Tuesday after school administrators and the LGU declared the campus safe following “a thorough assessment and the implementation of appropriate precautionary measures.”

Police in Negros Occidental, on the other hand, are investigating a monitored online conversation between two students of Escalante City National High School involving a supposedly planned campus violence that prompted some parents not to allow their children to attend classes.

“There was no official class suspension, but the parents were given leeway if they decide to fetch their children from school,” Negros Island Region police spokesperson Lt. Col. Joem Malong said.

On June 22, two ninth graders – alias Nash, 14, and alias Rod, 15, opened fire inside the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, killing three students and wounding 20 others.

While school shootings are a rarity in the country, seven students were wounded on June 16 in a knife attack by an older student in a private school in Cavite. Three days later, a student sustained injuries after being stabbed by a fellow Grade 11 student in a public school also in Cavite.

A day after the shooting spree at the San Jose National High School, a Grade 10 student stabbed a Grade 9 student in San Carlos City in Negros Occidental.

On June 26, a 17-year-old Grade 8 student was stabbed by a 15-year-old schoolmate during a confrontation in front of a public market in Silang, Cavite.

As this developed, social workers have found the 15-year-old suspect in the shooting spree in Tacloban City “acted with discernment,” Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian said.

“The law states that when you are 15 years old plus one day up to 18 years old, you have criminal liability if you have discernment. Discernment means you know what you are doing, you planned it, you tried to hide it, you know the concept of right or wrong or you know the consequences. Now, when it is determined that you have discernment, you have criminal liability and will be charged accordingly,” he said.

“This initial assessment of the minor’s capacity to distinguish right from wrong still requires formal verification by the court,” the DSWD chief added.

The department is still awaiting the official results of the psychological evaluation conducted on both the 15-year-old and 14-year-old children suspects, both of whom are currently in the custody of the DSWD’s Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth (RRCY) in Tacloban City.

“The two minors are strictly monitored and are far from free as they are kept in separate rooms isolated from other children in conflict with the law inside the rehabilitation facility. They are also prohibited from receiving visits or having any connection with their parents at this time,” Gatchalian said.

Gatchalian said the department is willing to participate in discussions regarding proposed amendments to Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act, especially on the minimum age for criminal responsibility.

— Charles Dantes, Vince Lopez, Maricel Cruz & Gabriel Oliva