Several senators have called for stronger school security, tighter gun controls and better mental health support following the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University that left two students dead and several others injured.
Sen. Mark Villar condemned the shooting and said no parent should have to worry about whether their child will safely return home from school.
“Walang magulang ang dapat matakot na baka hindi na makauwi nang ligtas ang kanilang anak mula sa paaralan,” Villar said.
He renewed his push for the proposed LIGTAS Act, which seeks stronger threat assessment, emergency response, security measures and crisis counseling in schools.
Sen. Pia Cayetano also called for a prompt and thorough investigation, as well as closer coordination among the DOJ, DILG, PNP, DICT and DepEd on school safety, child protection and online safety.
Sen. Joel Villanueva, meanwhile, pushed for tighter gun control and responsible firearm ownership and storage to prevent children and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to guns.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros said authorities should also determine whether the shooting had any connection to Nihilistic Violent Extremism or online communities that promote violence.
“If violence is not only committed but displayed, imitated and even livestreamed, then we are dealing with a bigger and deeper problem as a society,” Hontiveros said.
Sen. Bam Aquino stressed the need to make schools safe spaces for children, while Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan called for a wider safety net that includes schools, families, communities, mental health professionals and online platforms.
Pangilinan also warned against normalizing violence through statements or content shared by public officials and social media influencers.
The senators said the Zamboanga shooting should serve as a wake-up call to strengthen preventive measures and ensure that students are protected both inside schools and online.IMT
