Following a wave of violent incidents in academic institutions nationwide, Senator Bam Aquino is calling for the swift approval of a bill designed to reinforce school security and safeguard students.
As the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Aquino announced that the panel will prioritize the proposed School Safety Act. This legislative push comes in the wake of a fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, alongside a separate stabbing incident near a high school campus in Negros Occidental.
On Wednesday, the lawmaker traveled to Tacloban to personally extend his condolences to the families of the three students killed in the shooting and to check on the recovery of the wounded victims.
During his visit, Aquino committed to sponsoring legislation that would thwart future tragedies and enhance student protection.
The senator noted that the draft legislation was originally crafted as an anti-bullying measure but has been significantly expanded to encompass comprehensive campus security protocols following the recent tragedies.
“Nagsimula ito bilang panukala laban sa bullying. Pero isasama na rin namin ang mga probisyon ukol sa kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral sa mga team-building and out-of-campus activities,” Aquino said.
“Ipapasok din natin ang mga panukalang magpapatibay sa seguridad ng ating mga paaralan, gaya ng pagkakaroon ng school safety hotline at alert system, pagpaparami ng (security cameras) at increased presence ng mga pulis, security guard at barangay tanod,” he added.
Amid heightened vigilance, a separate potential attack was averted on Thursday at Tolosa National High School in Leyte. Aquino alerted Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla regarding online threats, prompting police intervention.
Law enforcers subsequently traced the violent social media posts to a 14-year-old Grade 10 student who had used multiple dummy Facebook accounts to threaten campus safety.