An educators network in Mindanao has publicly rejected proposals to impose stricter policing and lower the age of criminal responsibility following a tragic school shooting in Tacloban City that resulted in three student deaths and injured 20 others.
A Call for Reform over Punishment
This is not a problem of our youth. Adults in society, primarily the State, have failed our children.
Sr. Concepcion Gasang, Lead Convenor of EFD-Mindanao
The Educators Forum for Development (EFD)-Mindanao urged the government to instead focus on a thorough review of institutional failures contributing to juvenile delinquency. They emphasize that mental health and psychological well-being should take precedence over punitive measures.
Sr. Gasang highlighted that the majority of juvenile crimes are classified as non-serious, making the response of stricter penalties misplaced. EFD-Mindanao’s position is that addressing the root causes of delinquency requires significant state intervention.
Prof. Mae Fe Ancheta-Templa, co-convenor of EFD-Mindanao, echoed these sentiments, advocating for a comprehensive approach that includes mental health resources rather than punitive measures.
EFD-Mindanao expressed condolences for the victims of the recent tragedy, while simultaneously calling for a shift in how society addresses youth behavior.