President Marcos calls for collective effort to prevent violence in PH schools

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for a collective effort to safeguard the youth and prevent school-related violence involving minors.

In a vlog posted on Saturday (June 27, 2026), the president described the recent incidents of violence in schools as “heartbreaking and horrifying,” emphasizing the need for stronger safety measures.

“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 (Today, I speak not only as President, but also as a father, as a fellow Filipino, and as someone deeply concerned for the safety of our children),” 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 (We must protect our youth. We must protect them from violence. We must protect them from negligence. We must protect them from danger. And we must protect them from the silent struggles and burdens that so many of them carry),” he added.

According to a report of the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Marcos has directed the relevant government agencies to implement stronger security of all schools.

He also called upon teachers to expand their roles beyond instruction to serve as mentors and counselors. This is particularly emphasized for students who may be struggling with mental health concerns.

TACLOBAN SCHOOL SHOOTING

A school shooting happened in Tacloban City on June 22, 2026 involving two students, aged 14 and 15, who opened fire at a school, resulting in at least three fatalities and seven injuries.

READ: Three killed, five injured in school shooting in Tacloban

Both suspects are in custody; one was arrested at the scene, and the other surrendered later.

Authorities recovered 40 empty shells and identified the weapons used as a 9 mm Glock pistol and a .38-caliber revolver.

Philippine National Police spokesperson Allen Rae Co confirmed that the pistol was issued to a police officer, who is now under investigation, while the revolver is registered to a security agency in Cebu City.

-Paraluman News