PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered an immediate investigation into a series of alarming incidents of school-based violence reported in Luzon and Mindanao over the past week.

“Kailangan po talagang maimbestigahan ito lalo po’t may mga menor de edad na nasasangkot at nagiging isyu na talaga ang mental health sa mga kabataan,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said.

Castro announced that the President has directed the Department of Education, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine National Police to work together in investigating the incidents.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development has also been tasked to assist in evaluating the implementation of child protection policies in schools nationwide.

The President’s directive came in the wake of several violent school-related incidents that have drawn national attention.

On August 7, a shooting occurred inside a classroom in Nueva Ecija, where a 15-year-old female student was shot by her former boyfriend, who then took his own life. The victim initially fell into a coma and later succumbed to her injuries.

On August 4, a teacher at Balabagan Trade School in Lanao del Sur was allegedly shot dead by a Grade 11 student, reportedly upset over failing grades.

On August 10, a nine-year-old Grade 3 pupil from Maria Cristina Falls Elementary School was allegedly mauled by five high school students. The victim sustained serious injuries and was confined in the Intensive Care Unit but has since regained consciousness.