House Speaker Isabela 6th district Rep. Faustino "Bojie" Dy III has supported calls from the chamber to investigate the tragic Tacloban City school shooting that took the lives of three minors.

“The House supports efforts to establish the facts, ensure accountability under the law, and determine what measures may be necessary to prevent similar incidents in the future,” Dy said in a statement Tuesday, June 23.

Dy said the House inquiry must be "thorough and impartial".

On Monday, two Grade 9 students aged 14 and 15 reportedly entered San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte and the opened fire at their fellow students.

They were armed with a .9 and .38 revolver pistol. Allegedly, the two were bullied in school.

"Hindi sapat na alamin kung sino ang may kasalanan. Kailangan din nating suriin kung anu-anong mga senyales ang hindi natin napansin, at kung paano natin mas mapapalakas ang mga sistemang magpoprotekta sa ating mga kabataan bago pa sila tuluyang maligaw sa landas ng karahasan,” Dy said.

(It is not enough to find out who is at fault. We also need to examine what warning signs we failed to notice, and how we can further strengthen the systems that protect our youth before they are completely led astray into the path of violence.)

The incident--which almost never happens in the Philippine setting--left Dy and other congressmen shaken.

“The House of Representatives joins the nation in mourning the students who lost their lives in this tragic incident. We extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones, and we pray for the recovery of those who were injured,” said the Speaker.

“Any act of violence that claims the lives of young people and disrupts the safety of our schools is a matter of grave concern. Schools must remain places of learning, security and opportunity for every Filipino child,” he added.

Dy said the tragedy highlights the urgent need for government institutions, schools, families and communities to work together to prevent violence and better protect children.

“Ang paaralan ay dapat kanlungan ng kaalaman at pag-asa, hindi pugad ng takot at karahasan. Ito ang lugar kung saan nabubuo ang mga pangarap, hindi kung saan nagwawakas ang mga ito. Kapag may batang nasaktan o nasawi sa loob ng silid-aralan, hindi lamang isang buhay ang nawawala—may bahagi ng kinabukasan ng ating bansa ang nawawala kasama niya," he said.

(A school should be a sanctuary of knowledge and hope, not a nest of fear and violence. It is the place where dreams are built, not where they end. When a child is hurt or killed inside the classroom, it is not only one life that is lost—part of our nation’s future is lost with them.)

Dy called on concerned government agencies, educators, parents, and local communities to strengthen initiatives on student welfare, mental health, conflict resolution and early intervention.

“This tragedy should compel all sectors to work together to strengthen school safety, promote the well-being of our youth, and address the conditions that can lead to violence. The House of Representatives stands ready to support policies and programs that advance these goals."

Pasig City lone district Rep. Roman Romulo, the chairman of the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, echoed Dy's points. "Schools must remain places of learning, safety, and hope—never sites of fear and bloodshed," he said.

"This incident underscores the urgent need to strengthen protections for learners while addressing the underlying factors that may contribute to youth violence, including mental health concerns, bullying, access to weapons, and other risks to children and communities," he said.

"We call on the DepEd (Department of Education) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) to conduct a swift, impartial, and thorough investigation, ensure accountability in accordance with the law, and provide immediate psychosocial and other necessary support to the victims, their families, and the affected school community," Romulo said.

The veteran lawmaker also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information while investigations are ongoing.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, classmates, teachers, and the entire school community as they confront the devastating consequences of this violence," he further said.

House Assistant Minority Leader Bagong Henerasyon (BH) Party-list Rep. Robert Nazal said the investigation must answer the important questions about the incident.

"Serious questions must already be asked. How were firearms brought into a school campus? Were there sufficient security measures in place? Were there warning signs that could have been been detected earlier? Were intervention mechanisms available for students who may have been experiencing bullying, emotional distress, behavioral problems, or other circumstances that placed them at risk?" he said.

Nazal says the school shooting "highlights a gap in our laws and policies".

"The Philippines has thousands of schools attended by millions of students every day, yet there is no comprehensive national framework establishing minimum school safety standards, violence prevention programs, threat assessment protocols, and coordinated intervention mechanisms involving schools, parents, local governments, law enforcement agencies, guidance counselors, and mental health professionals."

"Bagong Henerasyon will study the filing of legislation establishing a comprehensive School Safety and Violence Prevention Program that will strengthen campus security, improve anti-bullying and behavioral intervention systems, expand access to counseling and mental health support, require regular school safety audits, and ensure that warning signs of potential violence are identified and addressed before lives are lost," he added.