The youth should be protected against violence, neglect —Marcos

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Saturday called for stricter protection of the youth in the country against violence and neglect following recent school incidents that resulted in tragic loss.

“Ang paaralan ay dapat maging lugar ng pagkatuto, pangarap at pag-unlad, hindi lugar kung saan nangamba ang mga magulang para sa kaligtasan ng kanilang mga anak,” said Marcos in a video message.

(Schools should be a place of learning, dreams and growth, not a place where parents fear for the safety of their children.)

“Kailangan maprotektahan ang ating mga kabataan. Maprotektahan laban sa karahasan. Maprotektahan laban sa kapabayaan. Maprotektahan laban sa panganib. At maprotektahan laban sa mga tahimik at pinagdaraanan at pasaning dinadala ng marami sa kanila,” he also said.

(Our youth should be protected. Protected against violence. Protected against neglect. Protected against danger. And protected against the silent and ongoing struggles and burdens that many of them carry.)

School security

Marcos said he had directed the education, police, health, and local government agencies to intensify measures for the safety of students across the country.

He called on parents to be actively present with their children, while teachers should also continue their roles not only as educators but as guides and advisors.

“Dapat ring tiyakin ng mga paaralan na mahigpit na nasusunod ang mga panuntunan sa kaligtasan, sa loob man ng silid-aralan, sa mga field trip, training camp, o iba pang mga gawain pang eskwela,” Marcos said.

(Schools must also ensure that safety guidelines are strictly followed, whether inside the classroom, on field trips, training camps, or other school activities.)

The President urged that the value of human life be restored, as well as teaching proper manners, behavior, and thinking in society.

“Sa bawat estudyanteng nanonood ngayon, mahalaga ang inyong buhay, mahalaga ang inyong mga pinagdadaanan, at ang paghingi ng tulong ay hindi kailanman tanda ng kahinaan. Sa mga magulang naman, huwag maliitin ang halaga ng isang simpleng pag-uusap kasama ang inyong anak.”

(To every student watching today, your life matters, your struggles matter, and asking for help is never a sign of weakness. To parents, don't underestimate the value of a simple conversation with your child.)

“Minsan, ang pinakamahalagang proteksyong maibigay natin sa ating mga anak ay ang ating oras, atensyon, at pag-unawa. Sapagkat ang tunay na lakas ng ating bansa ay nakasalalay sa kaligtasan, kapakanan, at mga pangarap ng susunod na henerasyon,” he added.

(Sometimes, the most important protection we can give our children is our time, attention, and understanding. Because the true strength of our nation lies in the safety, well-being, and dreams of the next generation.)

Recent incidents

Last Monday, two minors — aged 14 and 15 — opened fire inside the San Jose National High School in Barangay San Jose in Tacloban City, leaving three people dead and many others injured.

Meanwhile, two stabbing incidents involving students occurred in Cavite. In one incident, seven Grade 5 students were injured following an alleged stabbing incident by a kitchen knife-wielding Grade 8 female student inside a school.

In another incident, one 18-year-old student stabbed his schoolmate inside Cavite National High School due to an ongoing grudge.

Last June 8, Ateneo de Manila University student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili both died in a drowning incident following a team-building activity in Dipaculao, Aurora.

Authorities have since conducted their investigations on the incidents, respectively. —VAL, GMA News