Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. was 'heartbroken' over recent incidents of school-related violence involving students, Malaca±ang said Thursday, as the government expressed concern over a spate of youth-related crimes.
According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President was distressed following the recent shooting incident in Tacloban City, considering the involvement of minors both as perpetrators and victims. 'Noong nabalitaan nga po ng Pangulo ang nangyayari sa Tacloban, ay heartbroken, masasabi natin, ang naramdaman ng Pangulo dahil mga bata ang lumalabas na kaya na gumawa ng krimen, kayang magplano gumawa ng krimen. At mga inosenteng mga kabataan din ang nabibiktima (When the President learned about what was happening in Tacloban, he was heartbroken-one could say that was what he felt-because it is children who are now emerging as capable of committing crimes, able to plan crimes. And it is also innocent youth who are becoming victims),' Castro said.
Apart from the recent shooting incident at a school in Tacloban City, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said another potential school attack allegedly planned by a 14-year-old student in Tolosa, Leyte had been foiled. Authorities also cited a separate stabbing incident in San Carlos City involving Grade 9 and 10 students, which has raised concern over a possible pattern of school violence.
Asked how concerned the administration is over the series of incidents, Castro said the government considers such cases 'unacceptable,' especially when minors are involved. 'Ang mga mararahas na nangyayari sa ating bansa ay hindi na po katanggap-tanggap, mas lalo na po kung kabataan ang nasasangkot (The violent incidents happening in our country are no longer acceptable, especially when the youth are the ones involved),' Castro said.
Castro said Marcos has already directed concerned agencies to identify the root causes of school violence, including possible influence from violent gaming applications and patterns of 'copycat behavior.' She said the Palace emphasized the need to strengthen the protection and guidance of the youth amid rising concerns over school violence.
'Mas maganda po ngayon na mapakita talaga natin kung paano ba natin inaalagaan ang ating mga kabataan. At hindi po siguro nararapat na isantabi o hindi pansinin ang mga ganitong pangyayari (It is better now that we truly show how we take care of our youth. And it is probably not right to set aside or ignore these kinds of incidents),' Castro said. 'So, iniuutos din po ng Pangulo ang agarang pag-determine ano ang nagiging ugat nito, maliban po sa nakita ng Pangulo na may kinalaman ang ibang mga gaming apps na marahas (the President is also ordering an immediate determination of what is causing this, aside from what the President has observed that some violent gaming apps may be involved),' she added.
With regard to proposals to lower the age of criminal liability, Castro said the Palace remains open but stressed that any measure would be carefully studied. 'Depende po ito sa magiging bersiyon kung gagawa man at magbabalangkas ng panukalang batas at ito'y aaralin ng Pangulo at para malaman natin kung ano ang nararapat para sa ating mga kabataan (It will depend on the final version of the bill, if one is crafted and filed. The President will study it to determine what is best for our youth),' she said. This comes amid renewed public debate over juvenile justice policies following recent violent incidents involving students.
