MAMAMAYANG Liberal or ML Party-list Rep. Leila de Lima has filed a resolution seeking a congressional investigation into the growing number of violent incidents in Philippine schools, citing the need for stronger protections in both physical and digital learning environments.

House Resolution No. 1387 directs the House Committees on Basic Education and Culture, Public Order and Safety, Information and Communications Technology, and other appropriate panels to examine recent cases of school-related violence, including the June 22, 2026 school shooting in Tacloban, the August 18, 2026 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and several stabbing incidents involving students.

De Lima said Congress must identify the root causes, emerging patterns, and institutional gaps behind the alarming trend to craft effective legislation that safeguards every Filipino learner.

“There is a pressing need for the House of Representatives to conduct a thorough inquiry into the causes, patterns, and institutional gaps underlying the rising incidence of school-related violence,” De Lima said.

The former Justice secretary stressed that security measures alone—including metal detectors, armed guards, and criminal prosecution—are not enough to prevent violence if issues such as online grooming, radicalization, mental health, and psychosocial support remain unaddressed.

The proposed inquiry will examine campus security infrastructure, CCTV coverage, threat-assessment and crisis-response protocols, online grooming and radicalization through gaming and social media platforms, the availability of guidance counselors and mental health services, and contributing factors such as bullying, family circumstances, untreated mental health conditions, and exposure to violent media.

De Lima also wants lawmakers to review the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, particularly its gun-safekeeping provisions, and explore imposing criminal liability on adults whose negligent storage of firearms allows minors unauthorized access to weapons.

“School violence must never be tolerated or normalized. We need an evidence-based, trauma-informed, rights-respecting legislative framework to address its root causes,” De Lima said.

She emphasized that students should never have to enter school carrying fear, urging government agencies and lawmakers to work together to ensure safer schools for every Filipino child.