TULFO ALARMED OVER RISE OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE

SENATE Committee on Basic Education Vice Chairperson Sen. Idol Raffy Tulfo expressed concern over the recent surge of violence in Philippine schools which affects the safety of all learners, teachers and school personnel.

During the hearing of the committee on Tuesday, Tulfo cited the August 7 incident at Santa Rosa Integrated School in Nueva Ecija where an 18-year-old former student shot a 15-year-old girl in the neck before killing himself and the August 4 incident in Lanao del Sur’s Balabagan Trade School where a Grade 11 student shot and killed his teacher allegedly over a failing grade.

Tulfo asked the Department of Education (DepEd) what are the measures they are currently implementing to address this issue, prevent entry of deadly weapon like guns inside school facility, and ensure a safe school environment for everyone.

DepEd Usec. for Legal and Legislative Affairs Filemon Javier said they already issued a reiteration of DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012, or the “Child Protection Policy” which outlines zero-tolerance policy for violence within schools. He said they also heightened their security measures.

Tulfo lamented that despite the presence of said policy, there seems to be a problem with proper implementation. He also stressed the need for school accountability in situations like these.

In one of said incidents that Tulfo cited, Jaiver reasoned that the suspect joined the crowd of people entering the school. “Ang assailant ay sumabay sa dagsa ng tao. Nakalusot…”

Tulfo reminded him to not use this as an excuse for the surge of school-related violence.

“You cannot use the word ‘dagsaan’ kaya nakalusot (ang assailant). Baka yan din palagi ang gagamitin ng authorities kapag may nakalusot na gunman kasi sumabay sa dagsaan,” Tulfo said.

Javier then vowed to implement stricter preventive measures against school violence.