CCTV in classrooms pushed after Tacloban shooting

Installing Closed Circuit Television Cameras (CCTV) in classrooms should be considered amid recent incidents of school violence, including the deadly Tacloban shooting incident, Pasig Rep. Roman Romulo said Wednesday.

“This is really about evidence. We talk about protecting students, and teachers. I would say maybe it is about time we discuss installing CCTV in the classrooms because these [footages] will be the best evidence,” Romulo said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB interview.

“This should be discussed for the benefit of all stakeholders,” he added.

In the same interview, Romulo also said that the 2026 national budget already provide for the deployment of 10,000 guidance counselor associates in schools to ensure a healthy and safe environment.

“These guidance counselor associates need not be registered guidance counselors or psychologists because we really have a shortage on that. These are those college graduates with at least 18 units of behavioral science who can assist the schools in this aspect," Romulo added.

Ultimately, Romulo said that all stakeholders, from parents, teachers and the local government, should deploy a proactive approach in addressing child violence.

“In the event that parents notice that their child is acting a bit strange, is into too much online games…the parents should immediately seek help of the local government, or the Department of Education. We cannot be passive in this situation. There should be active participation among education stakeholders because the death of the children due to school shooting is alarming,” Romulo said.

“Kailangan talaga ng tamang gabay [ng mga bata],” Romulo added.

(Kids need proper guidance.)

Authorities have already filed a criminal complaint against the 15-year-old student involved in the deadly Tacloban shooting incident.

Asked about the possible motive for the shooting, Armeza said bullying is one of the angles being looked into in the investigation, but added that the matter is with the Prosecutor's Office already.

Asked if it is true that the younger student fired more bullets than the older one Police Regional Office 8 (PRO 8) said: "That's the information that we have gathered but as I have said made-determine po 'yan sa evaluation and assessment of the Prosecutor's Office."

Accountability

In a separate interview, Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co said accountability over the Tacloban school shooting and other incidents of minor children causing harm, including stabbing their fellow student, does not end with the child.

“Ang pananagutan po hindi po ‘yan sa isang individual, lalo na kapag ang pinag-uusapan natin ay bata. Marami po ang kasama ng magulang sa pagpapalaki ng bata. Nandyan ang eskwelahan, nandyan ang lipunan, nandyan ang estado,” Co said.

(Accountability does not end with one person, especially if we are talking about children. In raising a child, it takes more than the parents. We have our schools, society, and our government.)

“All of these people and institutions should work hand-in-hand to raise children well and eventually equip them to be of service to the country,” Co added.

Co said that the existing Juvenile Justice Welfare Act, which sets the age of criminal liability at 15 years old, is yet to be fully implemented to address the situations of those children in conflict with the law (CICL).

Those aged 14 year-old and below CICLs, are subject to government intervention, including that of the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Co said the Juvenile Justice Welfare Act law also provides for the establishment of youth rehabilitation centers, although it remains largely unfunded to date.

“If the child runs in conflict with the law, then we need to follow the law. The first step is rehabilitation. Then we look at the culpability of the parent. But more importantly, the parents need our support, and this is provided under the Constitution,” Co said.

“Our youth rehabilitation centers are yet to get full funding support. How can we say that the law is not effective when we are yet to fully implement its provisions?,” Co, a lawyer, added. —Llanesca T. Panti/ VAL, GMA News