Villar pushes school safety bill

Senator Mark Villar on Saturday called for a swift investigation into the fatal stabbing of a Grade 9 student inside Las Piñas National High School, saying the tragedy underscores the need for stronger security measures in schools.

A 13-year-old Grade 9 student was killed while another learner was injured after they were allegedly stabbed by a fellow student inside the school on Friday, according to local authorities.

“Our schools must always be places of safety, learning and hope — not places where our children are exposed to violence and danger,” Villar said.

The senator extended his condolences to the victim’s family and said his office was providing assistance to the bereaved.

He urged law enforcement and other concerned agencies to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents.

Villar also appealed to schools, parents, teachers and communities to work together in promoting respect, empathy and peaceful conflict resolution among students.

The incident, he said, highlights the urgency of passing Senate Bill 2321, or the Learning Institution’s Guaranteed Threat Avoidance and Safety Act.

The proposed measure would require schools to conduct coordinated threat assessments, establish direct emergency hotlines with police, fire and rescue units, strengthen parent notification systems during emergencies, and ensure the availability of first-aid equipment and trained medical personnel.

It also seeks to increase police visibility around schools, deploy trained security guards, install closed-circuit television cameras and appropriate security screening systems, and require regular safety training for students, teachers and school personnel.

“We can no longer bring back the life lost in this painful tragedy, but we cannot remain idle,” Villar said.