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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Erwin Tulfo wants more teeth for Anti-Bullying Act after Tacloban school shooting

Erwin Tulfo wants more teeth for Anti-Bullying Act after Tacloban school shooting

Published Jun 23, 2026 05:47 pm
Senator Erwin Tulfo on Tuesday, June 23, called for stronger enforcement of the country's anti-bullying laws following the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, which authorities said was allegedly triggered by bullying.
Senator Erwin Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)
Senator Erwin Tulfo (Senate PRIB photo)
In a statement, Tulfo said the reported motive behind the attack should serve as a wake-up call for schools and government agencies to strengthen the implementation of the Anti-Bullying Act.
"Bagama't di tama ang naging paraan nila para resolbahin ang bullying sa kanila, isa po itong nakakaalarma na hudyat para sa lahat ng mga eskwelahan at sa mga awtoridad: Lagyan ng pangil ang implementasyon ng 'Anti-Bullying Act' (Although their way of dealing with the bullying was not right, this is an alarming signal for all schools and authorities: Strengthen the enforcement of the 'Anti-Bullying Act')," he said.
Tulfo noted that while bullying has long been associated with verbal abuse, physical violence, and even suicide among victims, the Tacloban incident showed how unresolved bullying issues could escalate into deadly violence inside schools.
The senator questioned what he described as the weak enforcement of anti-bullying measures, asking how many more lives must be lost before authorities recognize shortcomings in the implementation of existing laws.
Tulfo also warned against allowing school violence to become normalized in the country.
"Huwag po nating hayaan na mahanay ang ating bansa sa mga lugar na normal na ang mass shooting at bullying sa mga eskwelahan (Let us not allow our country to be counted among places where mass shootings and bullying in schools have become the norm)," he said.
The senator expressed condolences to the families of the three students who were killed in the shooting and said his office was coordinating with the victims' families to assist.
As chairman of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, Tulfo likewise urged the Senate to conduct an investigation into the incident to determine whether there were lapses on the part of the school, identify the factors that led to the tragedy, and recommend measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

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Erwin Tulfo Anti-Bullying Act Tacloban shooting
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