Manila, Aug. 24 -- Senators on Monday rallied behind a broader approach to school safety that would enlist families, teachers, mental health professionals, community leaders and even technology providers in preventing violence instead of relying mainly on guards, surveillance cameras and emergency drills.

The discussion followed the Department of Education's (DepEd) decision to defer its planned live-shooter attack drill amid concerns that highly realistic simulations could cause unintended psychological harm to students.

Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano proposed holding community town hall meetings in schools while the drill is being studied, bringing together parents, teachers, students, religious leaders, school officials, ...