On July 8, 2026, Rizal Technological University (RTU) took another step forward in its initiative to enhance the community’s emergency response and preparedness through a Campus Safety and Security Seminar, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police-Special Weapons and Tactics (PNP-SWAT) Mandaluyong, gathering all university personnel both onsite at the Plenary Hall and through Zoom Teleconferencing.

The event is an initiative that responds to the immediate need of schools to ensure the safety of their community, following the recent school shooting disaster in a public high school in Tacloban. RTU, which accommodates both tertiary- and secondary-level students, aims to equip its faculty and administrative personnel with knowledge to minimize casualties in the event of a school violence incident.

In her opening statement, Dr. Ma. Isabel Dizon, Director of the Administrative Services Management Office, said that disasters and safety threats are no longer limited to earthquakes and fires, and that the Rizaliano community must face these new threats together.

The initiative, led by the Safety, Security, and Disaster Risk Reduction Management Unit (SSDRRMU), headed by Instr. Jayson Denaga also received the support of the University Administration, with the Vice President for Finance and Administration, Dr. Rodolfo L. Ducut, saying that the safety within our university is a shared responsibility and expressing his gratitude to both the SSDRRMU and the PNP for the collaboration on ensuring that Pandayang Rizalia knows how to respond to such threats.

Themed “Connected and Protected: Fostering a Culture of Vigilance and Compassion”, the seminar featured the expert knowledge of the PNP-SWAT Mandaluyong in responding to school-related violence and school shootings.

PSMS Richard A. Tomimbang first defined an active shooter, describing the tendencies of such perpetrators and the possible reasons behind their actions. According to him, many of those who resorted to such actions were driven to desperation due to bullying, financial despair, and other silent struggles. He emphasized that, as a community, we must be attentive to how others are doing so we may extend necessary help to those who are struggling.

He masterfully outlined what the community should do in such instances, emphasizing that the best course of action is to run away from the scene and hide in secure, inconspicuous spaces to avoid the attackers’ line of sight. He emphasized that attempting to confront and take down the perpetrators is only a last resort and is strongly discouraged for civilians, repeatedly reminding the participants, “not to be a hero.”

PCpt. Jerrick Y. Delos Santos, Chief of PNP-SWAT Mandaluyong, reiterated Sgt. Tumimbang’s lecture. He shared the acronym ACT (Assess, Choose, Tell). According to him, the community must immediately assess the situation, determine the appropriate course of action, and then inform the authorities of what transpired during the crisis.

To complement the expert knowledge shared by the PNP, RTU’s own Instr. Mark Anthony V. Manalo, a Guidance Designate at the Counseling, Assessment, and Wellness Office (CAWO), shared strategies for detecting and preventing struggling students from spiraling into violence through counseling and psychological assessments.

His years of experience working with stories of children struggling emotionally enabled him to share best practices for determining necessary interventions for such students. According to him, making students feel heard and important is a significant undertaking that uplifts students’ emotional well-being. He emphasized how, as adults, faculty members and university personnel can help create a sensitive yet safe environment for Rizalianos.

With these high-impact lectures on how to address school-related violence—from prevention to crisis response—the community became better equipped to ensure the safety and security of all members of the Rizaliano community.

As the country navigates a newly emerging societal issue, RTU maintains that safety and security remain top priorities. Through the SDRRMU’s initiatives and efforts, the university assures its community that our campuses are safe and prepared.