Manila, Aug. 20 -- Schools across the country will simultaneously test how quickly they can respond, evacuate and reunite students with their families during an active human-induced threat on Aug. 25, as the Department of Education (DepEd) applies lessons from the recent shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga City.

DepEd Undersecretary Malcolm Garma told a Senate hearing Thursday that the department has completed protocols for the exercise with the Philippine National Police (PNP) after initially testing them at Manila Science High School.

"We will be rolling out the nationwide simultaneous drill for August 25. Next week po yan, Madam Chair (That will be next week, Madam Chair)," Garma said.

Unlike conventional earthquake drills, the exer...