Senator Go pushes for tighter school security, mental health support after Zamboanga shooting

Senator Bong Go is calling for stronger school security measures and expanded mental health services for students following the fatal shooting at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Go said the incident exposed serious gaps in school safety and child protection.

“These heartbreaking tragedies are warning signs that demand our immediate attention. They expose deeper gaps in school safety, child protection, mental health, and responsible firearm ownership. These are gaps that we can no longer afford to ignore,” Go said during a hearing of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality on August 20.

The senator noted that the Zamboanga shooting occurred less than two months after a deadly school shooting in Tacloban which left students, parents and communities traumatized.

Go said these incidents should not be treated solely as peace and order concerns, but also as issues involving youth welfare, public health and the education system.

Citing Department of Education data, Go said only about 36% of schools nationwide currently comply with key security measures. He noted that only around four in 10 schools have closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras, while roughly one in 10 is equipped with metal detectors.

He said the figures show the need to strengthen emergency response protocols and improve coordination among schools, local governments, law enforcement agencies and health authorities.

Go also called for greater access to mental health services in schools, including the hiring of more guidance counselors.

He also cited figures from a previous Senate inquiry showing that the country had only about 4,069 licensed guidance counselors as of 2022, far below the estimated 47,000 needed to meet the ideal ratio of one counselor for every 500 learners.

“This is a crisis, and I understand that funding for this has been included in the 2026 budget. While we lack guidance counselors, we must focus on hiring school counselor associate positions, which are funded under the 2026 budget. Hopefully, this will be implemented,” Go said.

He also pointed to the shortage of child psychiatrists, noting that the country has only around 40 specialists serving this population.

Beyond mental health interventions, Go urged authorities to conduct an immediate and comprehensive investigation into the Zamboanga shooting and review existing laws, firearm regulations and school safety policies.

He likewise said the government should “explore whether there is a need for a more visible police and law enforcement presence in schools.”