Whole-of-country approach needed to protect learners

BEFORE traveling to South Cotabato for a key event, a government executive asked me for a brief situational report on the locality. I focused on security, considering that South Cotabato is part of Mindanao—a region historically known for violence due to political rivalries and clashes between military forces and rebels.

My research concluded that South Cotabato was no longer a violent province, following the successful implementation of the government’s peace campaign. Reports indicated that many former rebels had laid down their arms and surrendered to authorities to pursue quiet, productive lives. Local politicians had also learned to prioritize cooperation and diplomacy.

The executive returned to Metro Manila under the impression that South Cotabato was peaceful. Just a few days later, however, we were both shocked by a horrifying incident in the province.

Reports confirmed that three students were killed—including the gunman—and six others were wounded in a school shooting in Banga, South Cotabato, on Sept. 18. The shooting occurred inside a classroom at Banga National High School in Barangay Benitez at around 1:15 p.m.

South Cotabato Governor Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. stated that police identified the gunman as a Grade 9 student who shot himself in the head after firing at his classmates. According to Rolly Aquino, head of the South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, three students—two males and one female—were confirmed dead as of 4 p.m.

The suspect reportedly used a 9mm Glock pistol owned by his father, a member of a local gun club. Tamayo noted that police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Quoting one of the suspect’s classmates, Tamayo added that the shooter was a member of an online gaming community centered around firearms. Classes at the school have been suspended until further notice.

The deadly incident in Banga marks the country’s third school shooting in recent months. It follows a shooting in Tacloban in June that killed three students, and another in Zamboanga City in August that left two learners dead.

These tragic events have claimed the lives of eight Filipino students in just four months. How many more young learners will succumb to the same fate before the year ends?

Despite the rising death toll, law enforcement and education authorities have yet to implement effective measures to guarantee student safety inside classrooms. They clearly need assistance from the broader government to provide the necessary expertise and resources.

The issue is far larger than most realize. Fortunately, House Speaker Faustino “Bodgie” Dy III and House Majority Floor Leader Sandro Marcos have initiated a nationwide response.

Dy and Marcos are pushing for legislation to strengthen the country’s firearms laws and safeguards as an immediate response to the tragedy at Banga National High School.

House Bill (HB) 11387, or the Responsible Firearm Ownership and Safe Storage Act, seeks to prevent minors and unauthorized individuals from accessing firearms, serving as part of a broader strategy to secure schools and avert future tragedies.

Dy emphasized that the bill is a critical step toward keeping firearms out of the hands of minors. HB 11387 establishes stricter safe-storage requirements, mandatory gun-safety training, harsher penalties for unauthorized access, and a new criminal charge covering negligent firearm storage.

The charge of “criminally negligent unauthorized access” applies when a registered owner or legal custodian breaches their duty to secure a firearm, enabling an unauthorized person to gain possession or use of the weapon or ammunition.

Dy expressed his deep solidarity with the students, families, teachers, and the entire school community affected by the tragedy in Banga.

He warned that this incident points to a systemic, recurring issue that demands urgent attention. Protecting learners requires more than tighter physical security; it demands stronger values formation, robust support systems, and early interventions to address warning signs before violence erupts.

“We must take a hard look at how we can better protect our learners—not only through stronger school safety measures, but also by strengthening the values, support systems, and early interventions that can prevent violence in the first place,” Dy stated.

“At the same time, mental health support for learners must be strengthened. Students experiencing distress, conflict, or trauma must have safe, accessible avenues to seek help. Schools must be equipped not only to respond to a crisis, but also to recognize warning signs and provide timely, appropriate support.”

Securing children in schools is no longer a task that families or single agencies can handle alone. Protecting today’s learners requires a comprehensive, whole-of-country approach.

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