THE FOUR ACTS of violence which took place inside school campuses in just a week is more than enough reason for the government to consider a serious review of existing youth-related laws, school safety rules, and mental health interventions.
In a statement, Senator Bong Go, in his capacity as chairman of the senate committee on youth, particularly cited the need to dig deeper into the incidents involving minors.
According to the senator, the incident raises serious concerns not only on security inside schools, but also on the condition of young people who may be exposed to violence, bullying, trauma, and other risks.
“Schools are supposed to be zones of peace and learning. It is deeply troubling that our students are exposed to such unnecessary risks instead of being able to focus on their studies. What is even more alarming are reports that the suspects themselves are minors,” reads part of his statement.
JUVENILE JUSTICE
The Tacloban City incident, he stressed, placed renewed attention on the country’s juvenile justice framework.
Republic Act No. 9344 (Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006), governs cases involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law. It was later amended by RA 10630, which strengthened the juvenile justice system and created the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council.
Go called on the concerned government agencies to look into the gaps under the existing measures if gaps are found.
“Tututukan ko ang isyung ito. Kung merong dapat ayusin sa mga kasalukuyang batas, katulad ng Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, as amended, at mga regulasyon, ayusin na natin ngayon. Huwag na nating hintayin pang merong panibagong trahedya na naman,” he assured.
Go also called on concerned agencies to determine how the firearm was obtained and brought inside the school, especially following reports that the suspects were minors even as he appealed to the public to check the veracity of “sweeping and unverified” social media posts pending the results of an ongoing probe.
TACLOBAN SHOOTING
On June 22, two male students aged 14 and 15, fired shots inside the San Jose National High School resulting in the death of four students and injuring 19 other individuals.
Authorities were looking into bullying as one of the possible factors behind the incident.
In this context, Go’s mental health-related measures have also gained renewed relevance. He co-authored and co-sponsored RA 12080 or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act to enhance mental health support in basic educational institutions.
Go also filed Senate Bill 176, which proposes the creation of Mental Health Offices in all public higher education institutions nationwide. The bill also seeks to provide free counseling services, trained mental health professionals, and 24/7 mental health hotlines for students.
The measures aim to provide safe spaces for students, promote early intervention, and strengthen suicide prevention and mental health support in educational institutions.
While the Tacloban City incident took place in a high school, Go has repeatedly pushed for stronger support systems for young people facing emotional distress, trauma, and other mental health concerns.
SCHOOL VIOLENCE
After the Tacloban shooting, the police also recorded three other school-related violent incidents, which according to Go has reached an alarming crisis point, highlighted by a sudden spike in fatal shootings and stabbings inside campuses.
“Longstanding systemic issues with severe peer bullying and inadequate mental health support have culminated in a wave of juvenile aggression that has prompted national emergency interventions,” said Go in reference to three other incidents which took place days apart since the Tacloban shooting took place.
Aside from San Jose National High School, acts of violence perpetrated by minors also happened at the Bethel Academy in General Trial, Cavite, wounding seven Grade 5 students in a stabbing attack.
At the Cavite National High School, an 18-year-old senior high school student repeatedly stabbed a fellow student following a heated argument.
In Davao de Oro, a male individual was shot by unidentified armed men shortly after coming out of the campus where he attended a ceremony culminating on his senior high school graduation.
Relatedly, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla claimed that authorities foiled a separate school attack planned by a 14-year-old student in Tolosa National High School also in Leyte.