𝐂𝐖𝐂 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐓𝐚𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲

[𝑇𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑊𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔: 𝑆𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑡]

 

The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) strongly condemns all forms of violence against and involving children and expresses grave concern over the recent violent incidents reported in schools. These incidents have resulted in injuries, the loss of young lives, and deep emotional distress among learners, families, school communities, and the public. Earlier today, there have been reports of a fatal shooting incident in a school in Tacloban City. This incident has reportedly left at least three learners dead and several others wounded. Two of the alleged perpetrators—both reportedly minors—are now in custody. The shooting follows several recent incidents of violence against children that have occurred on school premises. On 16 June 2026, a Grade 8 learner reportedly entered a Grade 5 classroom in a private school in General Trias City, Cavite, and allegedly stabbed seven Grade 5 learners. On 20 June 2026, another stabbing incident occurred at Cavite National High School in Cavite City, where a Grade 11 learner allegedly stabbed a fellow learner following a confrontation inside the school premises. Schools must remain safe spaces where children can learn, develop, and thrive free from fear, violence, and harm. The occurrence of these violent incidents within educational settings serves as a serious reminder that protecting children requires constant vigilance and a sustained, whole-of-government and whole-of-society response.

These incidents underscore the urgent need to further strengthen school-based child protection mechanisms, mental health programs, violence prevention initiatives, and early intervention systems. Schools must be adequately supported with guidance services, psychosocial support programs, child protection structures, and referral mechanisms capable of identifying risks, addressing behavioral concerns, and preventing violence before it occurs.

The CWC extends its deepest condolences to the family of the children who have lost their lives in the Tacloban City incident and prays for the full and speedy recovery of all injured learners. We call for the immediate provision of comprehensive medical, psychosocial, and mental health support to all affected learners, families, teachers, and school personnel. Beyond physical injuries, the emotional and psychological impact of these incidents must be addressed through timely and sustained interventions.

The CWC welcomes and supports the directive of the Office of the President to conduct a thorough investigation into the Tacloban City school shooting incident. We likewise support the ongoing investigations into the two stabbing incidents in Cavite to ensure that all circumstances surrounding these acts of violence are fully established and that appropriate actions are undertaken in accordance with the law.

At the same time, these efforts must also uphold the rights and best interests of the suspects in these incidents, who are all reportedly Children in Conflict with the Law (CICL). In line with Republic Act No. 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, as amended by Republic Act No. 10630, they should not be treated as criminals, but as children requiring intervention and protection.

The CWC calls on all concerned agencies, local government units, educational institutions, communities, parents, and caregivers to work together in creating environments where all children feel safe, heard, supported, and protected. Preventing violence requires more than security measures alone. It requires strengthening relationships, promoting emotional well-being, teaching peaceful conflict resolution, addressing bullying and behavioral concerns, and ensuring that children who may be experiencing difficulties receive timely and appropriate support. The CWC also calls for the observance of the proper assessment, interventions, and procedures for the CICLs under RA No. 9344, as amended.

As the government’s lead coordinating and monitoring body on children’s concerns, the CWC remains steadfast in advancing policies and programs that uphold children’s rights and strengthen child protection systems nationwide. We reaffirm our commitment to work closely with government agencies, civil society organizations, schools, families, and communities to prevent violence and promote the safety, welfare, and holistic development of every Filipino child.

The CWC also urges the public to immediately report incidents of violence, abuse, bullying, neglect, exploitation, or any situation that places a child at risk through the MAKABATA Helpline 1383, a nationwide child protection reporting and referral mechanism:

 

Call 1383

Smart: 0919-354-1383 | Globe: 0915-802-2375

Chat via Makabata Helpline 1383 Facebook and Instagram

Email: makabatahelpline@cwc.gov.ph

Report through the e-gov super app of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (select “child abuse”)

No child should ever fear for their safety inside a school. The recent tragedies demand not only our sympathy but our collective action. The protection of children is a shared responsibility, and we must act decisively to ensure that every school remains a place of learning, security, dignity, and hope.