House Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio has rejected the notion that the deadly Tacloban City school shooting displayed "isolated criminal behavior".

Instead, the veteran lawmaker claimed that the tragic incident reflected a deeper set of longstanding and worrisome issues in the education sector.

"The Tacloban tragedy exposes chronic underfunding, overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate psychosocial support in Philippine schools. Public schools face shortages of 150,000 teachers and 160,000 classrooms nationwide, while thousands lack guidance counselors, nurses, and support personnel," Tinio said on Monday, June 22.

"Second Congressional Commission on Education (Edcom II) findings show that overcrowded classrooms directly contribute to bullying, intimidation, and diminished student safety," he said.

At least three children were killed and five others were wounded in a shooting incident at San Jose National High School, Tacloban City, Leyte at around 9 a.m. Monday.

The suspects--aged 14 and 15--were allegedly bullied in class.

Tinio called for comprehensive care and support for victims of the school shooting. He also demanded a House investigation into escalating school violence following the tragic incident.

In this regard, militant congressman thumbed down proposed punitive security-centered responses, and warned that increased policing and surveillance would turn schools into war zones rather than learning communities.

Instead, Tinio called on Congress to investigate systemic factors that contributed to school violence, including inadequate funding, overcrowding, and broader social conditions that normalize violence among youth.

"Ang buhay ng mga bata ay hindi dapat ikompromiso dahil sa budget cuts. Ang bawat paaralan ay dapat may sapat na guidance counselors, nurses, at support personnel. Ang Tacloban tragedy ay nagpapakita ng resulta ng patuloy na kapabayaan sa sistema ng edukasyon," he said.

(The lives of children should not be compromised because of budget cuts. Every school should have enough guidance counselors, nurses, and support personnel. The Tacloban tragedy shows the result of continuing neglect in the education system.)

With the new budget cycle just around the corner, Tinio sought substantial increases in education budget in order to hire additional counselors and nurses, construct classrooms to reduce overcrowding, and implement comprehensive mental health programs.

He emphasized that genuine school safety requires sustained public investment and treating schools as communities of care and learning not police enforcement.

"Ang mga bata ay nangangailangan ng mga guro na may oras para sa kanila at mga counselors na nakikinig. Hindi sila nangangailangan ng mas maraming pulis," he stressed.

(Children need teachers who have time for them and counselors who listen. They do not need more police.)