By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet
Echoing President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s sentiments on the recent Banga National High School shooting incident, Malacañang reiterated the various efforts of the government in addressing the spate of incidents involving minors.
This, in response to backlash from certain groups and individuals who claim that the administration is not doing enough to resolve these worrying developments.
In a briefing on Tuesday, Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro enumerated some of the interventions undertaken by concerned agencies:
- Proposed memorandum of agreement between DILG and DepEd on deploying barangay police officers in campuses
- DSWD-led Parent Effectiveness Service (PES) to aid parents and parent-substitutes in childhood care and learning development
- Trauma-informed care to guide teachers and school personnel in monitoring students’ welfare
Usec. Castro, moreover, underscored the unique nuances behind the recent shooting incidents, “Sa nangyayari po kasi ngayon, lalong lalo na po kung sino ang mga nag-iimpluwensiya sa batang ito, hindi po natin nakikita eh. Meron silang ibang grupo, kachat na hindi nakikita ng mga magulang, hindi nakikita ng mga guro.”
She also shared that President Marcos Jr. found the information contained in the incident reports ‘very disturbing’ and concerning, especially with how online harm pushes minors to perform violent acts.
Usec. Castro went on to encourage Filipinos to also do their part in protecting the youth from vile influences on social media, warning against normalization of violence and foul language that poisons the minds and hearts of students.
She likewise emphasized the importance of strengthening family relationships as effective deterrents to heinous acts committed by minors, noting that home is the place where young people are given a chance to thrive in a healthy environment.
The Malacañang official concluded with an advice to owners of firearms, “Sa mga nagmamay-ari po ng baril, ingatan niyo na po yan at huwag na po sanang kayo ang maging daan para magkaroon pa ng ganitong muling pangyayari.”
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