President Marcos urges parents to watch for behavioral changes in children amid school violence

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday urged parents to closely monitor their children for sudden behavioral changes, calling for greater family vigilance following a recent string of violent school incidents.

Speaking to reporters after visiting Patul Elementary School in Santiago City, Isabela, Marcos emphasized that protecting students requires shared responsibility among families, schools, and the government.

He advised parents to pay particular attention if their children become unusually withdrawn, sad, or quick to anger.

“Bantayan po natin nang mabuti ang ating mga bata, ang ating mga anak. Bantayan po natin na hindi sila nasasama sa mga ganyang klaseng kagagawan. At ito po ay hindi madaling gawin, kailangan po nakabantay tayong lahat at sabay-sabay tayong lahat,” Marcos said.

(“Let us watch over our children carefully. Let us make sure they do not get involved in these kinds of acts. This is not easy to do, so all of us must stay vigilant together.”)

He added that both national and local governments must work alongside parents to ensure learning environments remain safe.

“Pareho ‘yung national government pati local government, kailangan po tayong lahat ay magkaisa at tulungan natin at bantayan natin na tiyakin na ang mga bata, ang ating mga anak, ay makapag-aral nang mabuti at sila ay ligtas,” he said.

(“Both the national and local governments must unite to ensure our children can study safely and without incident.”)

The President’s appeal follows reports of shootings near or within school grounds in Tacloban City, Zamboanga City, and South Cotabato, which resulted in multiple casualties.

Reports of another shooting at Isulan National High School in Sultan Kudarat circulated on social media Wednesday, though Education Secretary Sonny Angara later clarified that the report was a false alarm.

During an address in Pasay City on Sept. 28, Marcos denounced the violence and promised that the government would equip parents and communities with resources to prevent future attacks.

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ‘yung mga pangyayari na nakita natin sa Tacloban, sa Zamboanga, sa South Cotabato,” Marcos said in the earlier speech. “Ito talaga ay dumudugo ang puso, hindi lamang ng mga pamilya... kung hindi ang buong bansa.”

(“What happened in Tacloban, Zamboanga, and South Cotabato is unacceptable. It breaks the heart not just of the victims' families, but of the entire nation.”) -Paraluman News