Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go urges improved school safety and security measures and accessible mental health support for students following the shooting incident at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, which took three lives.

Go said the tragedy must not be treated only as a peace and order issue, but also as a youth welfare and education concern.

"What makes this tragedy even more heartbreaking is that the alleged perpetrators are minors themselves. We do not want our country to experience the kind of incidents we have seen in other countries—tragic events that are both shocking and unimaginable,” Go said.

Reports said the incident not only left three students dead, but it also left several other students injured, with two minor suspects taken into custody.

Go, chairperson of the Senate committee on Youth and vice chairperson of the Senate committee on health, said the incident prompts a serious review of school safety protocols and mental health programs.

"This is not just a matter of security. We also need to look at the situation of our young people, whether they are facing problems at home, at school, or in their communities,” Go asserted.

Go also cited other recent emerging violent incidents, including the knife attacks in General Trias and Cavite City, as well as a fatal shooting near Kolehiyo ng Pantukan in Davao de Oro.

“We must give close attention to their mental health and intervene as soon as possible. Prevention is far better than waiting until someone is hurt or loses their life. Mental health issues are real,” Go added.

The senator also said the incidents brought attention to Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10630, which oversees cases involving children at risk and in conflict with the law.

Meanwhile, Go also said authorities must determine how firearms are accessed and brought near schools and public events, urging for heightened law enforcement presence in schools during entry and dismissal hours, and major school activities.

"Any security measure must fully respect and uphold academic freedom while ensuring that our schools remain safe spaces. I don't think we have too many police officers at the moment. If anything, we may even have too few,” Go said.

Go also emphasized the need to strengthen mental health services in schools, citing Republic Act 12080, or the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act, which he co-authored and co-sponsored during the previous Congress, which was also principally sponsored by Senate President Win Gatchalian.

"This law seeks to institutionalize stronger mental health and well-being services in our basic education institutions. We already have a law on this. It includes the provision of school counselors and school counselor associates in public schools,” Go added.

Go said early intervention must be strengthened for students experiencing bullying, trauma, emotional distress, family problems, and other risk factors.