We will take a break from the ongoing conflict in the local and international political arena in this week’s column. Instead, we will look at another violent hotspot that should concern us all and prompt us to pause and reflect.

We refer to the recent spate of violence involving young students which has shaken our nation to its core. In just days this June, we witnessed a 14-year-old in General Trias stabbing seven Grade 5 classmates, a stabbing at Cavite National High School, and most tragically, the school shooting in Tacloban where two Grade 9 students, aged 14 and 15, killed three fellow students and injured many more.

We believe these are not isolated anomalies but part of a disturbing pattern that demands our immediate, collective attention. Rather than mere crimes, these incidents are symptoms of deeper societal ailments.

This surge in youth violence does not appear to be unique to the Philippines; it is a worldwide phenomenon. Across the United States, school shootings have become a grim recurring tragedy, claiming young lives in places meant to be sanctuaries of learning. In Europe, Latin America, and parts of Asia, reports of bullying escalating into physical assaults, stabbings, and gang-related violence among adolescents fill news cycles.

According to UNICEF and UNESCO data, almost one in three students globally – a whopping 32 percent - has been bullied by peers at school at least once in the past month. Over 36 percent of learners experience a physical fight with peers, and nearly one in three has been physically attacked in the past year.

The World Health Organization, meanwhile, reports that around 193,000 homicides occur among youth aged 15 to 29 each year, accounting for 40 percent of total global homicides. In the Philippines, over 40 percent of learners aged 13 to 17 report experiencing bullying at school in a year.

More than ever, we are aware today that social media amplifies conflicts, violent video games and content desensitize young minds, and post-pandemic mental health crises have left many young people without adequate coping mechanisms. Economic pressures, family breakdowns, and exposure to real-world conflicts also contribute to a toxic brew.

The sad truth is this: when our children turn weapons on one another, it reflects an alarming erosion of empathy, patience, and constructive dialogue.

So, we ask: why are our young people resorting to violence?

Psychology and mental health experts say it often stems from unresolved grievances like bullying—as reportedly in the Tacloban case—or from feelings of powerlessness, alienation, and untreated trauma. Without skills to manage anger, frustration, or disputes, minor conflicts spiral into tragedy. Easy access to information on weapons via the internet, combined with portrayals of violence as a quick fix in entertainment, normalizes aggression.

There are observations that mental health support remains insufficient in many schools and communities. As a doctor, I know that unaddressed emotional wounds fester. We must remember that prevention must begin early, not after the blood of the young has been shed.

At the heart of the solution lies a fundamental truth: peace and non-violence are modeled behaviors. Children do not learn these values in a vacuum; they absorb them from the adults around them. Parents who shout, argue aggressively, or resort to corporal punishment teach that force resolves conflict. Teachers who humiliate students or use punitive discipline model the same.

Those who exercise leadership in various sectors are not to be spared from the blame. Let us admit it: public figures, politicians, media personalities, and community leaders who engage in divisive rhetoric or glorify toughness over dialogue reinforce the message that aggression wins. Even in our homes and barangays, how we handle disagreements—whether it's road rage, family feuds, or online spats—sets the example.

Our view is that we must consciously model the behavior we want our children to emulate.

The task is not an easy one. This calls on us to demonstrate patience, to practice active listening, empathy, and de-escalation in daily life. When we, adults, show that disputes can be resolved through calm conversation, compromise, and mutual respect, young people internalize these as viable paths.

Equally crucial is teaching the young peaceful modes of resolving disputes. Our education system must go beyond academics to instill emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills, and a culture of peace. Peace education—already present in some curricula and initiatives—should be strengthened and made universal. We understand that some schools now implement peer mediation programs, in which trained students help resolve conflicts before they escalate.

We believe that our youth are not inherently violent; they are mirrors reflecting the society we have built—and the one we can still shape. That is why the responsibility to model peace cannot be delayed.

By modeling peace and deliberately teaching non-violent dispute resolution, we break the cycle of aggression. Let us choose, each day, to be the example our children can follow.

We owe our children safe schools and communities, hopeful futures, and the skills to navigate life’s challenges without harming others. Let us make that promise real by showing them peace in practice.

(The author is a Doctor of Medicine, an entrepreneur and the current mayor of Antipolo City, former Rizal governor, and DENR assistant secretary, LLDA general manager.Email: [email protected])