The Security and Safety Office (SSO) headed by its director, lawyer Eric Paul D. Peralta, held the first Active Shooter Simulation on Sept. 28 at the academic quadrangle of the School of Environmental Science and Management (SESAM).
This simulation activity is the first of its kind in the Province of Laguna, and UPLB is the first constituent university of UP to conduct it.
The simulation exercises are in line with the UPLB Risk, Emergency, and Disaster-Ready (READY) program of SSO aimed at practicing coordination and communication when confronted with an active shooter or shooting incident inside the campus.
At exactly 8:30 am, Peralta signalled the start of the exercises. Special Police Assistant Chief Jonathan D. Maliwat, section chief of the Crisis and Emergency Response Unit of SSO, acted as the main planner and facilitator of the exercises.
It was divided into three scenarios: first, three unidentified individuals enter the SESAM and open fire; second, hostage negotiation with the police using strategic tactics to help in the hostage negotiation process; and third and last, media handling and recovery phase wherein the UPLB administrators assure the public that everything is now under control.
Before the drill, Maliwat made sure that the guns were bullet-free to ensure the safety of everyone.
The SSO announced the activity to the general public to avoid untoward incidents and had oriented the University Student Council (USC) on Sept. 2 to discuss what would take place during the exercises.
The program was officially opened by Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Roberto Cereno while Peralta delivered the closing message emphasizing the collaborative effort of all offices and personnel and the need for the AVC being prepared in times of crisis.
SESAM Dean Rico Ancog, university and security personnel, and staff of the University Health Service and University Planning and Maintenance Office attended the simulation exercises.
Peralta acknowledged the participation of UPLB, the USC, other government agencies with offices inside UPLB, namely; Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems, Institute of Crop Science (ICropS) and the International Rice Research Institute, as well as, external stakeholders, namely; Los Baños Municipal Police Station and Laguna Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office. (Kristine Bernadette T. Matalog)