House probe on Tacloban school shooting sought

A lawmaker has sought an investigation in aid of legislation into the recent incidents of violence in schools such as the deadly shooting in Tacloban City and stabbing cases in Cavite.

In House Resolution 1146, House public order and safety committee chair and Manila 2nd District Rep. Rolando Valeriano pushed for a congressional probe “with the end in view of strengthening school safety and security measures, enhancing guidance and mental health programs, and improving mechanisms for the prevention of violence among learners.”

He said such incidents underscore the need to review existing laws, regulations, and policies on anti-bullying measures, learner protection programs, guidance and counseling services, mental health interventions, threat assessment mechanisms, school security protocols and coordination between educational institutions and law enforcement agencies.

“There is a need to determine whether current policies adequately equip schools to identify and respond to warning signs of violence, behavioral risks, bullying, harassment, intimidation, and other factors that may contribute to harm among learners,” the resolution said.

It added: “An investigation in aid of legislation is necessary to identify policy gaps and formulate responsive measures that will strengthen school safety, protect learners, improve crisis intervention systems, and prevent future acts of violence in educational institutions nationwide.”

Valeriano’s measure cited the June 22 shooting incident at a school in Tacloban City by two minor-aged suspects who killed three suspects and injured 20 others.

Before this, a Grade 8 learner allegedly entered a Grade 5 classroom at a private school in General Trias City, Cavite on June 16 and stabbed seven learners.

A few days later on June 20, a Grade 11 learner allegedly stabbed a schoolmate following a confrontation inside the premises of a public high school in Cavite City.

“Congress must determine where our schools, local governments, and national agencies are falling short, and what legislative reforms are needed to strengthen campus security, guidance services, mental health programs, and violence prevention measures before more students and teachers are harmed,” Valeriano said in a statement.

On Tuesday, Senator Risa Hontiveros said the Senate will launch an investigation into the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City on July 1.

Hontiveros said the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, which she chairs, will lead the inquiry, focusing on the incident as well as the growing threat of online radicalization among children. — JMA, GMA News