INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS/JEROME CRISTOBAL
MANILA, Philippines — The head of the House of Representatives children’s welfare panel on Monday sought the creation of a government inter-agency body that would address the seeming surge in incidents of violence and self-harm among teenage students.
Barangay Health and Wellness party-list Rep. Angelica Natasha Co has observed an apparent increase in violent incidents in and around schools which should be safe spaces.
“As chairperson of the House committee on the welfare of children, I ask the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Department of Justice to form a joint task force on school safety to consolidate their agency efforts in addressing the increasing number of incidents of violent assaults involving students on campus and campus environs, as well as suicides,” Co said in a statement on Monday.
Fatal stabbing
She cited several incidents of assaults in and near schools nationwide since last year, the latest of which was the fatal stabbing of a 13-year-old by another teenager at Culiat High School in Quezon City.
Co pointed out that the latest incident, which happened last week, “cannot just be an isolated incident because there have been many other fatal stabbings and violent acts involving students and also teachers.”
Violent incidents
Co cited violent incidents involving teenage students, which happened between May last year and this month in Tacloban City, Cauayan City, Cebu, and Bacolod City.
“One problem here is, after the initial outrage and grieving lasting a few days, the incidents and assaults are forgotten as if they did not happen,” she said, stressing that it should not be the case as it “does not achieve the end goal of the welfare of children and of teachers and their families,” which was justice.
According to the lawmaker, “It is high time that these agencies make sure there are case follow-ups and a continuing database of cases should be maintained.”
She urged for more safeguards and new case management processes to be put in place in schools and communities.
“Crisis response measures and psychological debriefings for those traumatized by stabbing incidents must also be instituted, as violent incidents in schools affect not just the person stabbed but also other members of the school community,” she said.