THE DEPARTMENT of Education (DepEd) underscored the need for stronger mental health programs as part of long-term solutions against school violence.

DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara personally joined the security briefing and inspected the vicinity of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School (JHS) campus on Wednesday, a day after the shooting incident that claimed the lives of two learners.

During his visit to Zamboanga City, the education chief met Ateneo de Zamboanga University President Fr. Guillrey Anthony Andal, SJ, city government officials, and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Before the incident, the Ateneo de Zamboanga had been planning to conduct its active shooting drill in the Junior High School campus in September.

Angara then said that stringent safety measures are not limited to the conduct of active shooting drills, even in private schools.

“That’s only for external security. Sabi nga natin hindi lang ‘yung bakod, hindi lang ‘yung security arrangements natin (As we’ve mentioned, it’s not only the walls, nor the security arrangements),” he said in an interview.

“Pati ‘yung psychological at socio-emotional learning –ang tawag diyan na talagang kailangan bantayan kasi long-term problem (But the so-called psychological and socio-emotional learning should be monitored also because that’s the long-term problem).”

Angara said the agency has ongoing efforts to advance mental health support to learners, but the current situation demands greater efforts.

“Meron naman tayong mga interventions na geared towards mental health pero syempre going forward mas pag-iigihan ho natin ang mga programang pang-mental health dahil nakikita natin na parang mas kailangan na ngayon (We have interventions geared towards mental health but of course moving forward, we need to improve mental health programs because we are seeing more need now),” Angara said.

Earlier, the DepEd said about 10,000 positions can be created by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) for School Counselor Associate I, with the recent issuance of Civil Service Commission (CSC) Resolution No. 2600920.

Under this, additional counselors and school counselor associates are expected to be hired within the basic education sector with the approval of Qualification Standards (QS) for the positions of Schools Division Counselor (SDC), School Counselor I to IV, and School Counselor Associate (SCA) I to V.

Their deployment is projected to begin this school year 2026 to 2027.

Besides these, Angara also underscored the need for each learner to feel “welcomed” and taken care of within school communities.

“Talagang makihalubilo tayo sa ating mga estudyante, kilalanin natin sila, kumustahin natin sila. Kasi ang silbi talaga ng eskwelahan hindi lang magturo, kung hindi parang pangalawang tahanan (Let’s really mingle with our learners, get to know them, ask how they are. Because the function of schools is not only to educate, but also to serve as second homes),” he said.

Nihilistic influence not ruled out

Angara, meanwhile, said that law enforcement has not ruled out the possibility of nihilistic violence influence online.

“Misteryoso pa sa atin kung ano yung nag-trigger, maaring sabi nga ng isang opisyal, huwag nating i-rule out yung may groomer siya online (The trigger is still a mystery to us; perhaps, it may be as one official said, we should not rule out that he has a groomer online),” he said, citing that the child in conflict with the law (CICL) has a remarkable academic record and a family network.

“Di natin na-co-control yung isipan ng mga bata kung ano ang pumapasok. May groomers tayo, may 764 network. So, kailangan mag usap-usap ang lahat ng mga ahensya dito (We cannot control the minds of our kids, what they are learning. We have groomers; there’s the 764 network. So, various agencies should work together).”

The education chief then urged parents to be vigilant and mindful of their children’s interactions online.

“Minsan ’yun ’yung naglalagay, naglalason sa isipan ng ating mga kabataan, ‘yung kung sino ang kausap nila online. Nakita ng mga groomer na ‘ah galit to, disenchanted youth ito, ito mapapagalit pa natin lalo sa mundo ito (Sometimes, they are the ones ruining the minds of our youth, those who are interacting with online strangers. And the groomers can detect ‘this young person is angry, disenchanted, which can further amplify their anger against the world’),” Angara said.

“Dahil ‘yun ang role ng nihilistic violent groups e, kaya dapat malaman din ng mga magulang ito (that’s the role of nihilistic violent groups, that’s what parents should know).”

Angara, however, urged the public to refrain from forming conclusive narratives and opinions on the matter while a thorough investigation is underway.

He said the privacy and dignity of involved learners and their families should be protected.

The agency also appealed to the public not to post and share the details of the incidents, as well as photographs and videos, to prevent further distress among affected learners, staff and their families. (PNA)