Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go called for stronger school safety measures, more visible law enforcement presence, and accessible mental health support for students following the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, which claimed the lives of three students.
In his manifestation Go said the tragedy must not be treated only as a peace and order issue, but also as a youth welfare, public health, and education concern.
“What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that the alleged perpetrators are themselves minors. Nakakalungkot po iyon. Talagang nabigla po tayong lahat, at ayaw po nating mangyari dito sa ating bayan yung mga nangyayari sa ibang bansa na nakakagulat na hindi natin inaakala,” he said.
Reports said the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School left three students dead and several others injured, with two minor suspects taken into custody. The incident also raised questions on school security, access to firearms, and the possible influence of online content on minors.
Go, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Youth and Vice Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Health, said the incident should prompt a serious review of school safety protocols and mental health programs.
“Hindi lang ito usapin ng seguridad; kailangan din nating tingnan ang kalagayan ng ating mga kabataan, kung may problema sa bahay, sa paaralan, sa komunidad. Mas mabuti ang maagapan kaagad ito. Ang kanilang mental health, dapat itong maagapan agad, tutukan talaga. Mas mabuti ang prevention kaysa hintayin pa nating may masaktan o mamatay. Mental health issue is real,” Go added.
Go also cited other recent violent incidents involving students or school premises, including knife attacks in General Trias and Cavite City, as well as a fatal shooting near Kolehiyo ng Pantukan in Davao de Oro. He said these incidents should push agencies to address school safety, youth protection, and mental health concerns with greater urgency.
He also said the incidents renewed attention on Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10630, which governs cases involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law.
On public safety, Go said authorities must determine how firearms are accessed and brought near schools and public events. He also urged the government to consider a more visible law enforcement presence in schools, especially during entry and dismissal hours and major school activities.
“At hindi po ito dapat magdulot ng takot o makasagabal sa pag-aaral. Any security measure must fully respect and uphold academic freedom while ensuring that our schools remain safe spaces. Siguro naman na—hindi naman sobra yung pulis natin sa ngayon. Maaaring kulang pa. Pero kung maaari, sana po’y ma-deploy ito sa mga eskwelahan kaysa naman na nandiyan lang po sa kanilang mga opisina. Mas magagamit po ito kung may police visibility,” he added.
Go also emphasized the need to strengthen mental health services in schools. He cited RA 12080, the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which he said he co-authored and co-sponsored during the previous Congress. He said the law was principally sponsored by Senate President Win Gatchalian.
“This law seeks to institutionalize stronger mental health and well-being services in our basic education institutions. May batas po tayo diyan. Kabilang po dito ang pagkakaroon ng school counselors and school counselor associates sa mga pampublikong paaralan,” Go said.
He noted, however, that the country continues to face a shortage of mental health professionals.
“We have raised that there are only about 4,006—4,000—let me repeat, there are only 4,069 licensed guidance counselors nationwide as of 2022. The country would need around 47,000 guidance counselors to meet the ideal ratio. Ang layo po,” Go said.
“It was also reported during the hearing that we have 50 child psychiatrists in the Philippines. We really have a crisis in terms of our supply of mental health professionals,” he added.
Go said that while the country lacks guidance counselors, school counselor associates may help fill the gap. He also said he filed Senate Bill 176 in the present Congress to establish mental health offices in all public higher education institutions nationwide.
“This Congress, I likewise filed Senate Bill 176, which proposes the establishment of mental health offices in all public higher education institutions nationwide to provide accessible counseling services, trained medical—or trained mental health professionals, and 24/7 mental health hotlines for students. Dahil problema po talaga ang mental health issue sa ngayon,” he said.
Go said early intervention must be strengthened for students experiencing bullying, trauma, emotional distress, family problems, and other risk factors.
“Matagal ko na pong sinasabi na ang mental health ay dapat tutukan. Hindi dapat ikahiya ang paghingi ng tulong. Kung may batang nahihirapan, dapat may makausap po ito, may malapitan at tutulong bago pa lumala ang problema,” he said.
Go also cautioned against imposing a blanket negative view of online gaming. He said discussions should focus on responsible gaming, parental guidance, and preventing violent extremists and criminal groups from using online platforms.
“Instead of imposing a blanket ban on online gaming, perhaps our focus should be promoting responsible gaming, strengthening parental guidance, while ensuring that online—while ensuring that online gaming platforms are not being used by violent extremists and criminal groups,” he said.
Go ended by calling for stronger cooperation among schools, families, communities, and public institutions.
“Madam Chair, let this heartbreaking incident become a turning point for stronger school safety measures, better youth interventions, more accessible mental health services, and greater cooperation among our schools, families, communities, and government institutions,” Go said.
“Nakikiramay po ako sa mga biktima at sa kanilang mga pamilya. Naipagdasal po natin ang kanilang paggaling at ang kapayapaan ng mga nawalan ng mahal sa buhay. Naipagdasal po natin sila,” he concluded.
