Senator Mark Villar urges stronger youth intervention as he visits stabbed Las Pińas student

Senator Mark Villar personally visited the Grade 8 student who remains under medical care after sustaining multiple stab wounds in a violent assault that took place shortly after classes near Las Piñas National High School.

During the visit, the senator checked on the victim's condition and extended assistance to the student's family.

"Personal kong binisita ang biktima upang kamustahin ang kanyang kalagayan at ipaabot ang tulong sa kanyang pamilya. Patuloy nating ipagdarasal ang kanyang agarang at ganap na paggaling," said Senator Villar.

The senator said the incident should serve as a wake-up call for society to confront the growing problem of violence involving young people, emphasizing that every child deserves to study, grow, and pursue their dreams in a safe and nurturing environment.

"Hindi natin maaaring hayaang maging normal ang karahasan sa ating mga kabataan. Sama-sama nating wakasan ang kultura ng karahasan at palitan ito ng kultura ng pag-aaruga, paggalang, at malasakit," he added.

He stressed that preventing similar incidents requires more than strengthened security measures. According to the senator, schools and communities must also invest in mental health, guidance counseling, and youth intervention programs that address the underlying issues affecting vulnerable children before they lead to violence.

"Kailangan nating higit pang palakasin ang ating mga programa sa mental health, guidance counseling, at youth intervention. Dapat nating gabayan ang ating mga kabataan, pakinggan ang kanilang mga pinagdaraanan, at bigyan sila ng sapat na suporta at mga oportunidad upang makaiwas sa landas ng karahasan," dagdag niya.

Villar likewise renewed his call for the immediate passage of his Students' Guidance Counseling Act, which seeks to strengthen school-based mental health programs and expand access to licensed guidance counselors, psychologists, school social workers, and psychosocial support services in educational institutions nationwide.

"Kapag pinagtibay natin ang suporta sa mental health at mas napaigting ang paggabay sa ating mga kabataan, mas mabibigyan natin sila ng pagkakataong makagawa ng mabubuting desisyon at magkaroon ng mas maliwanag na kinabukasan. Responsibilidad nating lahat—mga magulang, guro, pamahalaan, at buong komunidad—na tiyaking ang bawat kabataan ay lumalaki sa isang ligtas, mapagkalinga, at may pag-asang kapaligiran," he said.

-Paraluman News