By Brian Campued
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara on Tuesday stressed the need to review and update the safety protocols in schools to include what steps to undertake during shooting incidents.
Sec. Angara made the remark following a visit to San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, where a shooting incident involving two “children in conflict with the law” (CICL) occurred on Monday morning, killing three individuals and injuring twenty others.
“What we have now is ano yung protocol, which we never had before, yung protocol kapag namamaril na. It’s something that we never thought was applicable… We just have to update it,” he said in an ambush interview.
While the police have yet to establish the motive behind the tragedy, Angara said the CICL may have been exposed to violent content online. Authorities are also looking into a possible bullying scenario, influence from online games, and family problems, among others.
“Hindi lang siya peace and order ang problem, tingin namin kailangan i-manage din yung mga bata kasi parang exposed sila to a lot of violence online tapos marahil wala ring magulang,” the DepEd chief emphasized.
“Ang mensahe ko dito sa ating mga guro at principal na talagang parang magulang na tayo dito at saka kinukumusta dapat natin yung mga bata at tinitingnan kung talagang may aberya, may problema,” he added.
According to the Police Regional Office 8 (PRO-8), the two minor suspects, aged 14 and 15, are currently under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWD) and are undergoing the appropriate legal and intervention procedures in accordance with existing laws and regulations governing CICL.
Of the 20 injured victims, 15 sustained firearm-related injuries and remain under medical care in various hospitals, while five suffered non-firearm-related injuries.
All affected learners, teachers, and parents will undergo psychological first aid from June 24 to 26, the Tacloban City Information Office said, with the Department of Health (DOH) aiming to cover 100% of the victims’ medical expenses.
PRO-8 Regional Director PBGen. Jason Capoy said a 9mm Glock pistol recovered from one of the CICL was found to be registered to a female Police Non-Commissioned Officer assigned to a support unit, who has now been placed under restrictive custody.
“We assure the public that all investigative and legal procedures are being conducted thoroughly, impartially, and transparently. We remain committed to uncovering the facts surrounding this incident and ensuring that all persons found responsible are held accountable under the law. We likewise continue to coordinate closely with concerned agencies to guarantee that justice is served and that similar incidents are prevented in the future,” Capoy said.
Meanwhile, Angara stressed that the owners of the firearms used by the CICL must be held accountable amid calls by the victims’ families to hold teachers and school staff responsible for the incident.
“Papanagutin kung kanino nanggaling yung mga baril dahil hindi naman natural na may baril ang mga bata, ‘di ba? Paano nakakuha ng baril yung mga bata?,” he said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has likewise ordered authorities to conduct a thorough investigation of the incident, expressing sadness and extending his condolences to the families of the victims.
“Ikinalulungkot ng Pangulo ang pangyayari. Kahit sino pa man, lalo na ang mga magulang ng mga nabiktima, ay makakaramdam ng lungkot at takot,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a statement on Monday.
“Iniuutos ang malalimang pag-iimbestiga rito at pinapasiguro ang proteksiyon at kaligtasan sa lahat ng lugar, opisina, establisimyento lalong-lalo na sa mga paaralan,” Usec. Castro said. (with reports from Kenneth Paciente, Ryan Lesigues, and Clay Pardilla / PTV News)
-jpv
