MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. called for closer coordination among families, schools, law enforcement agencies and communities to prevent violence involving children following recent school shootings that left minors dead or injured.
During a visit to Patul Elementary School in Santiago City, Isabela, Marcos said parents and educators should learn to recognize behavioral warning signs among children that could indicate distress or a risk of violence.
The President made the remarks before parents attending a Kaagapay Program session under the Department of Education’s School Safety Campaign. He cited recent school shooting incidents in Tacloban, Zamboanga and South Cotabato.
“Kaya po naging kasama sa ating programa ang pagturo kung papaano ‘yung mga kailangan bantayan para ang ating mga kabataan ay hindi nadadala sa ganyang klaseng mga ginagawa na nananakit ng kanilang mga classmates, nananakit ng kanilang mga teacher,” Marcos Jr. said in his speech.
Marcos said preventing school violence cannot be left solely to authorities or educators, stressing the shared responsibility of those involved in children’s welfare.
“Kailangan po magkasama tayong lahat. Hindi po lamang ang pulis, hindi lamang ang mga teacher, hindi lamang po ang mga magulang, hindi lamang po ang pamahalaan. Kailangan po lahat tayo ay magkaisa tayo at magsama-sama tayo. Bantayan po natin nang mabuti ang ating mga kabataan,” he added.
He also emphasized the role of parents in keeping children away from harmful behavior.
“Bantayan po natin nang mabuti ang ating mga bata, ang ating mga anak. Bantayan po natin na hindi sila nasasama sa mga ganyang klaseng kagagawan. At ito po ay hindi madaling gawin, kailangan po nakabantay tayong lahat at sabay-sabay tayong lahat,” the chief executive stated.
Marcos said changes in a child’s emotional state, including unusual sadness or anger, could be signs that require attention.
“Sabay-sabay, kasama ang mga magulang – siyempre kayo ang una na kailangan tingnan ninyo ‘yung mga kabataan kung nagbabago, nagiging masyadong malungkot o masyadong galit o lahat na, basta kailangan bantayan,” he noted./PN
