By Brian Campued
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday exhorted the government and the public to collectively safeguard the youth as he expressed grave concern over the recent cases of violence in schools involving minors.
In a video statement posted on his official social media account, the President reiterated his earlier directive to the Department of Education (DepEd), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH), and other concerned agencies as well as local government units (LGUs) to strengthen measures to protect students from harm.
He urged school managements to ensure that guidelines on ensuring learners’ safety inside and outside the classroom and campus premises must be strictly enforced.
He likewise urged teachers to continue carrying out their duties, not only as instructors, but also as guides and mentors—echoing the long-standing roles of educators as second parents to their students.
“Kailangan maprotektahan ang ating mga kabataan. Maprotektahan laban sa karahasan.
Maprotektahan laban sa kapabayaan. Maprotektahan laban sa panganib. At maprotektahan laban sa mga tahimik at pinagdaraanan at pasaning dinadala ng marami sa kanila.
Ang paaralan ay dapat maging lugar ng pagkatuto, pangarap, at pag-unlad, hindi lugar kung saan nangangamba ang mga magulang para sa kaligtasan ng kanilang mga anak.” the President said.
The Chief Executive, however, stressed that government action alone is not enough to address youth-related violence, as parents must remain actively involved in their children’s lives.
“Huwag maliitin ang halaga ng isang simpleng pag-uusap kasama ang inyong anak. Minsan, ang pinakamahalagang proteksiyong maibigay natin sa ating mga anak ay ang ating oras, atensiyon, at pag-unawa,” he said.
More importantly, speaking not only as President, but also as a father, Marcos Jr. reminded the youth that there should be no shame in seeking help.
“Sa bawat estudyanteng nanonood ngayon, mahalaga ang inyong buhay, mahalaga ang inyong mga pinagdadaanan—at ang paghingi ng tulong ay hindi kailanman tanda ng kahinaan,” he said.
On June 22, two minors, aged 14 and 15, went on a shooting rampage at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, killing three fellow students and injuring 20 others.
Meanwhile, a student at Julio Ledesma National High School in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental stabbed a fellow student outside school premises on June 23.
Before the incident, two separate stabbing incidents involving students were also reported in Cavite on June 16 and 19.
Malacañang earlier said that the President has ordered relevant agencies to determine the root cause why minors are engaging in violent and illegal activities, noting that such actions are concerning and should not be ignored.
The DepEd, for its part, has ordered a nationwide school safety audit to assess campus infrastructure, including perimeter fencing, access points, lighting, and emergency exits, as well as the review of existing school safety and learner protection policies.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Friday announced the launch of a comprehensive and multi-sectoral School Safety Campaign to ensure that schools remain safe while enhancing prevention, reporting, response, and intervention mechanisms.
Under the initiative, security measures in public schools will be enhanced through the use of handheld metal detectors, stricter visitor management systems, regular bag inspections, installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, and the strategic deployment of security personnel.
The PNP has also increased police visibility around schools, while criminal raps have been filed against one of the children in conflict with the law (CICLs) involved in the Tacloban shooting incident.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has maintained that the CICLs must be handled through age-appropriate interventions in accordance with the country’s Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
-jpv
