Following the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City on June 22, 2026, calls for improved school safety and a comprehensive investigation have intensified. The tragic incident left three students dead and 11 others injured.
Calls for Action and Support
No child should feel unsafe at school or be the victim of violence. Weapons do not belong in schools which should be safe spaces for children to learn, be with their friends and play.
Melanie Llana, Save the Children Philippines
- Immediate psychosocial support for affected students and staff
- Increased security measures in schools
- Comprehensive investigation into the shooting
The police have arrested two male minors, both students at the school, as suspects. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his sorrow over the incident and called for a thorough investigation.
Various organizations, including Save the Children Philippines and the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), have voiced their concerns. ACT emphasized that responses should not rely on punitive measures but instead promote a culture of peace and safety.
Senate President Win Gatchalian urged the Department of Education to enhance psychosocial support services and tighten school security. He stated, "Schools must be safe spaces, and immediate actions are needed to hold accountable those involved in the shooting."
ML Party-list Representative Leila De Lima also stressed the importance of strict regulations on gun ownership and increased parental supervision to prevent such incidents in the future.
As the community grapples with this tragedy, many are advocating for systemic changes to ensure that schools do not just serve as educational institutions but as safe havens for students.