Malacañang on Tuesday said it cannot force anyone to understand the country’s situation regarding a series of school shooting incidents if that person is ‘unwilling’ or simply unable to do so.
The remark was in response to Vice President Sara Duterte’s criticism of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration over the recent school shootings, the latest of which occurred in South Cotabato and left three students dead.
Duterte said the three fatal school shooting incidents recorded this year alone reminded the public that the protection of children is ‘inevitably compromised’ when the government ‘prioritizes political consolidation over fundamental governance.’
At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro only gave a brief response to Duterte’s latest remarks.
‘We cannot force someone to understand the situation if he or she is unwilling to understand or just can’t understand.’
‘Marcos very disturbed’
Meanwhile, the Palace official stressed that Marcos finds the recent shooting at a school in South Cotabato ‘very disturbing’ and believes it requires immediate government action.
At least three students died in a shooting at Banga National High School shortly after 1 p.m. on Friday. One of the fatalities is believed to be the shooter, who reportedly turned the gun on himself.
‘Noong nabasa ng Pangulo iyong diumanong sulat ng nagsagawa nito, ang sabi ng Pangulo ay very disturbing at hindi ito normal sa nangyayari, hindi siya … kakaiba siya, hindi siya ordinaryo. So, kailangan talagang aksiyunan,’ said Castro.
(When the President read the alleged letter from the person who committed the act, he remarked that it was very disturbing and abnormal-it was peculiar, not ordinary. So, it really requires action.)
Castro was referring to a letter reportedly recovered from the shooter, which authorities said could provide investigators with clues about the motive for the shooting.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government is set to forge a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Education regarding a proposal to station women in schools to monitor the premises or serve as a visible patrol force. Castro said the proposal is currently under study and that the agreement could be finalized by next week.
The Palace official said a whole-of-government approach, along with stronger family relationships, is needed to ensure students’ safety from violence.
Citing the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Castro said the agency is conducting an ‘effective parenting service’ program to engage parents and strengthen their ability to guide their children.
‘Ito po ay isasagawa sa mga family centers kung saan ang mga magulang mismo ang kakausapin, gagabayan nila, at magkakaroon din po sila ito po ay pinag-uusapan nila patungkol sa Trauma-Informed Care kung saan ang mga guro, ang mga school personnel, ay gagabayan nila,’ she said.