Sara blames Marcos for school shootings

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday accused the Marcos administration of failing to protect Filipino children after a shooting at a South Cotabato high school left three students dead, including the suspected gunman, and eight others wounded.

Duterte said the 18 September attack at Banga National High School was the third deadly school shooting in the country since June, warning that violence once considered unusual in schools had become a threat that could strike children “at any time.”

“Patunay ito na ang ganitong uri ng karahasan ay isang mapait na katotohanan na maaaring mangyari sa mga paaralan ng ating mga anak sa anumang oras,” Duterte said in a statement. (“This is proof that this kind of violence is a bitter truth that can happen in our children’s schools at any time.”)

She said the shooting reflected a failure of governance, accusing the administration of putting its interests ahead of basic government responsibilities.

“This reminds us that when a government prioritizes political consolidation over fundamental governance, the protection of children is inevitably compromised,” Duterte said.

“The Marcos administration has failed the victims and survivors of the South Cotabato tragedy,” she said, adding that more Filipino children were at risk of becoming casualties of what she called the government’s “incompetence and neglect.”

For the Vice President, the tragedy reflected a broader failure to ensure that Filipinos live “safe, peaceful, and comfortable” lives.

“Para kasi sa administrasyong Marcos, mas madali ang maging inutil, magnakaw, at magsamantala kaysa magsilbi nang tapat sa bayan” (Because for the Marcos administration, it is easier to be inept, to steal, and to be exploitative than to honestly serve the nation), Duterte said.

“And instead of meaningful action and the enforcement of order, the Marcos administration is trapped in an endless game of political survival and consolidation. We deserve better leadership than this,” she added.

The Banga shooting occurred shortly after noon last Friday. The suspected gunman, a student, opened fire inside a classroom before turning the gun on himself, according to authorities. The victims were also students, with four of the wounded reportedly in critical condition.

The incident has focused renewed attention on firearm storage, access to guns by minors, school security, and the ability of schools to respond to active threats.

President Marcos has ordered a thorough investigation into the shooting and directed the agencies concerned to report on the measures being taken to strengthen school security. He said school shootings should not become part of Filipino children’s lives.

“Hindi natin maaaring tanggapin na maging bahagi na lamang ng buhay ng ating mga anak ang mga pamamaril sa paaralan,” Marcos said in a statement on 18 September. (We cannot accept that school shootings will be a part of our children’s lives.)

The Banga shooting followed fatal school attacks in Tacloban in June and Zamboanga City in August, making school safety a growing concern for education and law enforcement authorities.

The Palace has yet to respond to Duterte’s statement.