Almost a year ago, on 7 August 2025, what began as an ordinary school day turned into a tragedy that we covered from the first alert to its unfolding developments. Gunfire erupted inside Sta. Rosa Integrated School in Nueva Ecija, leaving a young student fighting for her life and raising urgent questions about security, youth behavior, and the laws meant to protect learners.

Now, just weeks before the incident's first anniversary, similar cases continue to emerge across the country, making the lessons of that day more relevant than ever.

The story as it unfolded

At 10:45 a.m., 18-year-old Menard Canazo entered a Grade 10 classroom and shot 15-year-old Zhane Entinado before turning the firearm on himself. The school immediately went on lockdown, and classes were suspended.

The following day, 8 August, Canazo was pronounced dead at his home, while Zhane remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit. The bullet remained lodged in her head after she had been revived twice. She fought for her life for five more days before succumbing to her injuries on 12 August 2025, nearly a week after the attack.

As the DAILY TRIBUNE gathered details from family members, witnesses, and authorities, a clearer picture emerged. The violence stemmed from an on-again, off-again relationship marked by jealousy, false rumors, and earlier signs of aggression that had gone unaddressed.

The victim's family also pointed to security lapses, noting how easily the suspect was able to enter the campus.

“If entry had been strictly monitored, this could have been prevented,” family members said.

Incidents continue: A growing pattern among minors

In the months that followed, similar vulnerabilities surfaced repeatedly, mostly involving elementary and high school learners.

Between February and March 2026, authorities foiled a planned attack by students in Laguna. Cases were also recorded involving learners bringing firearms to schools in Marikina and Batangas. A Grade 5 pupil in Butuan died following a classroom injury, while a kindergarten student in Maguindanao del Sur was struck by a stray bullet while inside a classroom.

Reports of bullying and physical assaults in Cavite, Iloilo, and Quezon further underscored the persistence of aggression and conflict within school campuses.

On 22 June 2026, the pattern turned deadlier once again when a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City left three people dead and 13 others wounded, once more exposing how weapons can slip past school defenses and how existing security measures remain insufficient.

The deaths of Ateneo student-athletes Rene Baterbonia and Divine Adili on 8 June 2026, also drew public attention following reports of unexplained bruises and questions regarding supervision during an activity in Aurora.

While the circumstances differ and involved college-age individuals, the case underscored broader concerns over safety protocols, oversight, and accountability in student-related activities beyond the classroom.

Laws, debate, and reality

There is no shortage of policies designed to protect students, but recent events have renewed discussions on whether these measures are sufficient or whether they require further strengthening.

Republic Act No. 10627, or the Anti-Bullying Act, together with Department of Education Order No. 40, requires schools to maintain safe environments and establish systems for reporting and addressing conflicts.

Republic Act No. 11036, or the Mental Health Act, mandates the provision of psychosocial support and counseling services in educational institutions. Meanwhile, Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, sets the minimum age of criminal responsibility at 15 years old and prioritizes rehabilitation over punishment for young offenders.

Access to firearms is regulated under Republic Act No. 10591, which governs the ownership, possession, and carrying of firearms.

Senator Robin Padilla has filed Senate Bill No. 372 seeking to lower the age of criminal liability to 10 years old for heinous offenses. He argues that the current framework leaves victims without adequate recourse when serious crimes are committed by minors.

“When crimes are severe, the law must respond accordingly to ensure justice is served,” Padilla said in previous statements.

However, legal analysts caution that legislative changes alone will not address the root causes of violence.

Atty. Maria Respicio, a specialist in family and juvenile law, said the gap often lies not in the laws themselves but in their implementation.

“We have good laws on paper, but many schools lack enough guidance counselors, proper visitor screening, and systems to identify early signs of distress. Lowering the age of liability will not fix issues such as unregulated access to guns, lack of family support, or weak implementation of existing safety measures,” she said.

Looking back, looking forward

As the first anniversary of the Sta. Rosa tragedy approaches, it is only fitting to ask whether the concerns raised that day have truly been addressed.

Have security measures — from gate inspections to campus monitoring — been strengthened enough to prevent unauthorized individuals and weapons from entering schools? Have educational institutions fulfilled their promise of serving as safe havens for learning?

The incidents that followed suggest the work remains unfinished.

What began as a single tragedy in Nueva Ecija has become a recurring reminder that safety is not a one-time solution but a continuing responsibility. It requires more than policies written on paper. It demands vigilance, communication, enforcement, and accountability from all stakeholders.

As the nation reflects on the tragedies in Sta. Rosa and Tacloban, one question remains: Are schools truly safer today?

Until that question is answered with concrete results, these incidents will remain more than memories. They will serve as a continuing call to ensure that every child can attend school without fear.