Two senators on Tuesday, August 12 urged schools to implement stronger anti-bullying measures as they express alarm over the rise of violence among students.

DepEd asks schools nationwide to enforce stricter safety measures to prevent violence and protect learners through enhanced child protection policies and security protocols. (MB / file photo)

“Given the rise in reported bullying and other violence-related incidents in many learning institutions, public and private schools should lose no time in adopting and implementing their respective anti-bullying policies,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in a statement.

Gatchalian further called on all stakeholders to remain vigilant and ensure that anti-bullying policy is implemented in every school.

“Principals and school heads are now fully responsible and accountable for all incidents within their institutions,” he said.

“Panahon na para kumilos. Ibalik natin ang tiwala na ligtas ang ating mga paaralan upang ang mga mag-aaral ay matuto at makapag-aral nang walang takot (It is time to act. Let us restore confidence that our schools are safe so that students can learn and study without fear),” Gatchalian said.

The senator also called on authorities to swiftly apprehend those responsible in the beating of a 9-year old Grade 3 student in Iligan City and ensure that justice is served without delay.

“To say that I am outraged over the beating of a nine-year old Grade 3 student in Iligan City, who is currently in the intensive care unit (ICU), is an understatement. It is equally distrurbing that high school students are allegedly responsible,” he said.

“Tila palala na nang palala ang karahasang kayang gawin ng ating mga mag-aaral sa murang edad. Saan na napunta ang mabuting asal at pagpapahalaga sa kapwa na dapat ay hinuhubog ng pamilya, paaralan, at komunidad (It seems that the violence that our students are capable of committing at a young age is getting worse and worse. Where has the good manners and respect for others that should be instilled by the family, school, and community gone)?” Gatchalian added.

Senate Committee on Basic Education vice chairperson Sen. Raffy Tulfo also said he is very much concerned over the recent surge of violence in Philippine schools which affects the safety of all learners, teachers and school personnel.

At a Senate hearing today, 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.

He also cited 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 lamented that despite an existing order from the Department of Education (DepEd), DepEd Order No. 40, s. 2012, or the “Child Protection Policy,” there “seems to be a problem with proper implementation.”

When asked what measures the DepEd is taking to prevent the 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 cited the said department order which outlines zero-tolerance policy for violence within schools.

Javier also said the DepEd has given orders for schools to heighten their security measures. In one of said incidents, the DepEd official reasoned that the suspect joined the crowd of people entering the school.

“The assailant joined in the sudden surge of crowd. He got through security,” Javier said.

However, Tulfo stressed the need for school accountability in situations like these. 

“You cannot use that as an excuse. Maybe that's what the authorities will always use when a gunman gets away because he's in the middle of a crowd,” Tulfo pointed out.

Javier then vowed that the DepEd will further implement stricter preventive measures against school violence.