CAGAYAN de Oro City — Recent school shooting incidents have prompted calls for a closer look at the factors behind violence involving students as police in Northern Mindanao strengthen security measures around schools.
Misamis Oriental 2nd District Representative Yevgeney Vincente Emano said preventing violence against students should not be left to the police or government alone, but should involve parents, teachers, schools and the wider community.
His statement came following recent shooting incidents in Tacloban, Zamboanga City and the latest incident in Banga, South Cotabato, where three people, including the suspected gunman, were killed and several others were wounded, according to authorities.
Emano said authorities and communities should examine where preventive measures may have fallen short and identify interventions that could help prevent similar incidents.
“Dili lang ni problema sa kwerpo sa kapulisan, sa mayor, sa gobernador o sa kongreso o sa senado. Akong tan-aw apil ang ginikanan, magtutudlo, kitang tanan maghiusa,” Emano said.
He also urged parents to pay closer attention to their children's online activities, including the games they play and the conversations they encounter while gaming.
Emano said parents should look beyond the games themselves and also be aware of comment sections and interactions where children may encounter harmful or violent content.
“Dunay comment section sa kilid, gagamit silag earphone pero ilang storyahan sukwahi kaayo sa storyahan nato karon nga pangidaron,” he said.
He said monitoring online activity should be part of a broader effort to understand and prevent violence.
POLICE STRENGTHEN SCHOOL SECURITY
Meanwhile, Police Regional Office-10 (PRO-10) has directed police units across Northern Mindanao to strengthen security and preventive measures in and around schools.
PRO-10 Regional Director PBGen Nestor Babagay Jr. ordered increased police visibility, particularly during school opening, recess, dismissal and other periods considered vulnerable to security concerns.
Police commanders were also directed to strengthen coordination with school authorities, local government units and barangay officials for information sharing, threat monitoring and immediate response to security concerns.
Police units were likewise directed to encourage schools to provide and properly use appropriate security equipment, including handheld metal detectors, through designated security personnel.
Police visibility operations will continue in schools, places of convergence and vital installations.
“Ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kabataan ay responsibilidad nating lahat. Higit kailanman, kailangan natin ang aktibong pakikiisa ng mga magulang, paaralan, at buong komunidad. Maging mapagmatyag tayo, makinig sa ating mga anak, at huwag mag-atubiling kumilos kapag may nakikitang senyales ng panganib,” Babagay said.
He urged parents and guardians to remain involved in their children's lives, including monitoring their online activities and being attentive to warning signs that may require guidance or professional support.
Babagay also stressed responsible firearm ownership and proper safekeeping to prevent minors from gaining access to firearms.
“Kung may baril sa tahanan, dapat tiyaking ligtas at hindi maaabot ng mga bata. Kasabay nito, ang mga concern involving children ay dapat tugunan nang may malasakit, tamang intervention, at paggalang sa kanilang mga karapatan at kapakanan,” he said.
PRO-10 said it will continue coordinating with the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Education, local government units, school authorities, barangays, parents and other stakeholders to strengthen preventive measures and maintain safe learning environments.
