President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called for a whole-of-society effort to protect children from school violence, urging parents, teachers, and government agencies to work together following a series of violent incidents involving students, including the deadly shooting at a school in Tacloban City.
In a vlog released Saturday, Marcos said recent attacks involving minors underscore the need to strengthen campus security while paying closer attention to the emotional and mental well-being of young people.
“Ngayong araw, hindi lamang bilang Pangulo ang aking pananalita kundi bilang isang ama, bilang kapwa Pilipino at bilang isang taong lubos na nag-aalala sa kaligtasan ng ating mga anak,” Marcos said.
“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,” he added.
Marcos said he has instructed concerned government agencies to strengthen measures that would keep schools safe and prevent similar tragedies from happening again.
He also directed schools to strictly enforce safety protocols not only inside classrooms but also during field trips, training camps, and other school-related activities.
“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,” he said.
The President emphasized that teachers should go beyond classroom instruction by serving as mentors who can recognize students struggling with emotional, behavioral, or mental health concerns before problems escalate.
Marcos likewise appealed to parents to remain actively involved in their children’s lives, saying simple conversations and consistent attention can help identify silent struggles that often go unnoticed.
“Sa mga magulang naman, huwag maliitin ang halaga ng isang simpleng pag-uusap kasama ang inyong anak. Minsan, ang pinakamahalagang proteksyong maibigay natin sa ating mga anak ay ang ating oras, atensyon at pag-unawa,” he said.
Addressing students directly, Marcos encouraged those experiencing depression, anxiety, or other personal difficulties to seek help, stressing that asking for support is “never a sign of weakness.”
The President also acknowledged that bullying is among the possible factors being examined in recent incidents of school violence but emphasized that authorities are continuing their investigations.
“Ayon sa mga pa-unang ulat, posibleng may kaugnayan sa bullying ang mga pangyayari. Isang bagay na kinakaharap ng maraming kabataan ngayon, nagpapatuloy pa rin ang imbestigasyon,” he said.
Marcos’ appeal came as the Department of Education continues to roll out tighter school security measures, including updated safety protocols and closer coordination with law enforcement agencies, following the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead.
