Former House Speaker and Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez has moved to render assistance to the families affected by the tragic school shooting in his home city of Tacloban in Leyte province.

"I have directed my office to coordinate with local authorities and relevant government agencies to determine what assistance can immediately be provided to the affected families," Romualdez said in a statement Monday afternoon, June 22.

"At the same time, I call on law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough and swift investigation so that all those responsible are held fully accountable under the law," added the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) president.

Romualdez couldn't help but be heartbroken by the incident, which almost never happens in the Philippine setting.

"I am deeply saddened and heartbroken by the tragic shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that claimed the lives of students and left several others injured," he said.

"A school should always be a place of learning, safety, and hope. No parent should have to endure the pain of losing a child in a place where they are supposed to be protected," said the two-time former Speaker.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims, the injured students, their classmates, teachers, and the entire school community as they face this unimaginable tragedy," added Romualdez.

He further said: "As we mourn, we must also reflect on what more can be done to ensure the safety and well-being of our students. We owe it to our children, our teachers, and every Filipino family to make our schools places where young people can learn without fear."

Similarly shaken by the incident is TINGOG Party-list, which is based in Tacloban City.

"TINGOG Party-list is deeply grieved by the tragic shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which has taken the lives of young students and left others injured. Our hearts are with the families now carrying an unimaginable loss," it said in a separate statement.

"At this difficult hour, our first responsibility is to care for the victims and their families. TINGOG Party-list is already coordinating with the concerned hospitals, the Tacloban City Government, the Department of Education (DepEd), and relevant national agencies to help ensure that the injured students receive the medical attention they need," the party-list said.

TINGOG assured the victims that assistance will be extended for hospitalization, medicines, laboratory requirements, follow-up treatment, transportation, and other immediate medical expenses.

It further said psychosocial support must immediately reach the bereaved families, the injured students, their classmates, teachers, school personnel, and the wider San Jose community.

"We will work with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the [DepEd], health professionals, guidance counselors, faith communities, and local government partners to provide grief counseling, trauma debriefing, crisis intervention, and continuing mental-health support," TINGOG said.

"We call for a thorough, swift, and impartial investigation into how this tragedy happened, including how firearms entered the school environment and what measures must be strengthened to protect learners and educators. Accountability must be pursued fully, with due regard for the law and the special protections required where minors are involved," it further said.