SENATE Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has called for a comprehensive review of the factors shaping Filipino children amid recent incidents of school violence involving minors, stressing that reforms to the juvenile justice system should deter youth crime without treating children as hardened criminals.

Cayetano expressed sympathy for the families of the victims of the recent school attacks, saying he understands their demand for justice while urging the public to remain sensitive to their grief.

The senator made the remarks following a series of violent incidents involving students, including the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City that left three students dead and several others injured, as well as separate stabbing incidents at schools in Cavite.

Cayetano said such acts of violence should never be normalized, emphasizing the need for society to remain vigilant.

Amid renewed calls to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, he cautioned lawmakers against focusing solely on lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Instead, he said any reforms should strike a balance between protecting children from criminal influence and ensuring accountability for serious offenses.

According to Cayetano, the country has debated juvenile justice reforms for more than a decade, but the issue requires a broader examination of the environment shaping young people.

He urged policymakers to assess the “total environment” surrounding children, including the content they consume online, as well as the values and experiences they acquire at school, at home, and within their communities.

Cayetano also stressed that schools, homes, and churches should remain the safest places for children, saying these institutions play a vital role in their development and protection.

The senator identified classroom overcrowding and shortened school hours as issues that deserve closer attention, noting that many students now spend only half a day in school, leaving them with more unsupervised time on the streets or on social media.

He said reducing classroom congestion and extending learning time could help provide children with a more structured and supportive environment.

Cayetano underscored that children are the country’s most valuable resource and said policymakers must approach juvenile justice reform with both wisdom and compassion.

He called for thoughtful and proactive reforms that protect young people, prevent violence, and strengthen families and communities rather than relying solely on punitive measures.