Vice President Sara Duterte said the deadly shooting at a school in Tacloban City should serve as a wake-up call for the government, saying the tragedy highlighted shortcomings in the country’s efforts to protect young people.
In a statement, Duterte said no parent expects their child to become a victim of violence when they are sent to school.
“No parent sends a child to school expecting that child to become a victim of violence. Yet this is not the first time that learners have been harmed either inside our schools or during school activities,” she said.
The vice president also criticized what she described as the government’s failure to prioritize intelligence gathering and threat detection.
“This tragedy also exposes the failure of the government to recognize the importance of intelligence gathering and identifying threats before lives are lost,” she added.
Duterte likewise cited the recent deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili, saying these incidents underscore the need to address weaknesses in safeguarding the youth.
“With the tragedies that have befallen our learners, including the loss of two student-athletes during a basketball training program, the government must confront the serious gaps in our ability to protect the youth,” she said.
The vice president expressed grief over the deaths and injuries resulting from Monday’s shooting rampage at San Jose National High School, which left at least three students dead and 13 others wounded.
She stressed that students must be protected from abuse, neglect and violence, including threats originating from online platforms and individuals who exploit young people’s vulnerabilities.
Duterte added that learners should be kept safe both inside and outside school premises.
Police have taken two minors into custody and are continuing their investigation into the motive behind the attack.
