With the nation still reeling from the drowning of two student-athletes from Ateneo, we grieve again over another tragedy – this time the loss of three young lives.
This news was very shocking to me. I thought that such shooting incidents were something we would only hear about in other countries – mostly in gun-loving America.
Seeing this happen in the Philippines was once unthinkable. Now, it has happened, and it might happen again.
It was supposed to be an ordinary Monday at the San Jose National High School in Tacloban last June 22 but chaos erupted as two shooters fired guns owned by their adult relatives.
A week before there was also a stabbing incident in General Trias, Cavite, where a 14-year-old Grade 8 student stabbed Grade 5 students in a private school.
These incidents of violence are alarming and profound; they should be a wake-up call for our country.
A culture of violence
It does not help that we have allowed a culture of violence to prevail for far too long in our country today. We had a president who had no qualms about espousing violence and aggression – and even joking about it.
Rody Duterte shouted to the world his marching orders to policemen against criminals: kill, kill, kill.
The guns
And then there’s the issue of access to guns. The owners of the guns must be investigated and held liable if negligence is established.
Schools must also inculcate the dangers of gun use in their students.
I remember back in grade school at JASMS, our principal, Mrs. Josefina Luciano, led the school in a campaign for peace.
One of the activities was burying war toys, including guns, as a symbolic rejection of violence. It may have been an idealistic move but for our young minds, it stuck – a vivid reminder of standing up against violence and choosing peace over aggression.
I am not saying such gestures will prevent a shooting or that they are still effective now, but school authorities must adapt and look into what works today.
Bullying
And then there’s the problem of bullying.
News reports quoted Col. Noelito Getigan, Tacloban City police director, as saying that one suspect initially claimed he had been a victim of bullying.
Bullying is a serious problem that leaves deep scars and wounds on its victims.
School authorities and parents must work together to address bullying in schools.
Save the Children offers five simple ways that families and early childhood school workers can help prevent bullying from the start:
1. Spot the signs. Use storybooks, puppet play and real-life moments to help children name emotions and behaviors: “That made me sad” or “They did not let me play.” Gently explain what unkindness, exclusion or teasing might look like. For example, laughing at a child who speaks differently, ignoring someone who uses a wheelchair or making fun of how another child looks or behaves.
2. Practice speaking up. Model respectful but firm language like “Please stop, that’s not kind” or “I don’t like that.” The earlier children learn to express boundaries respectfully, the more confident they become in standing up for themselves and others.
3. Connect with caring adults. Support children in identifying three trusted adults at home, in child development centers or in the community who will listen without judgment. This is important for children with developmental delays, disabilities or non-conforming gender expressions. Knowing they have someone safe to turn to builds children’s confidence to speak up when something feels wrong and helps stop bullying early before it becomes a pattern of silence or fear.
4. Keep the conversation going. Check in with children daily: “What made you smile today?” or “Did anything upset you?” When adults respond with empathy, children learn that their voices matter and are more likely to report harm.
5. Be the example they follow. Children mirror adult behaviors. Shouting, shaming or harsh physical punishments do not teach discipline – they model bullying. Instead, adults must show empathy, respectful discipline, fairness and inclusion, even when correcting behaviors.
Security
Security in schools is also critical.
A teacher said the Tacloban school has only two security guards despite serving more than 1,600 students.
While the Department of Education said the Tacloban and Cavite incidents are isolated cases, there is a need to review security in schools.
The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines said the Tacloban school shooting compels us to confront broader issues affecting young people, including bullying, peer violence, social exclusion, unresolved conflicts and gaps in mental health and psychosocial support systems. Preventing violence requires not only responding after harm has occurred but also addressing the conditions that place learners at risk.
Juvenile justice
Another issue that needs to be addressed is the stronger implementation of child protection policies and Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.
But first, the young population must know what it means. Otherwise they might think that under the law, they are exempt from liability as Sen. Robin Padilla apparently thinks. They are not.
Overall, efforts to address school violence must go beyond reactive responses and also focus on intervention, rehabilitation, implementation of anti-bullying mechanisms and mental health measures.
Schools are supposed to be safe. Let’s bring that back.
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