PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has called for stronger measures to ensure the safety of students in schools following the shooting incident at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.

Marcos stressed that school shootings should never become an accepted part of children’s lives.

“Hindi natin maaaring tanggapin na maging bahagi na lamang ng buhay ng ating mga anak ang mga pamamaril sa paaralan. Karapatan ng ating mga anak na makapag-aral nang walang takot. Karapatan ng mga magulang na maipadala sila sa paaralan nang alam na uuwi silang ligtas. Ito ang pananagutan natin sa bawat pamilyang Pilipino,” Marcos said.

The President also ordered a thorough investigation into the shooting, including how a minor was able to obtain and bring a firearm inside the school.

He expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in the incident and assured that those injured would receive the necessary medical treatment and assistance.

The Chief Executive noted that the incident was the third fatal school shooting in the past three months, following previous incidents in Tacloban and Zamboanga.

“Muli tayong nahaharap sa isang trahedyang hindi dapat danasin ng sinumang magulang, paaralan, o komunidad. Nakikiramay ako sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay sa pamamaril sa Banga National High School sa South Cotabato. Tinitiyak nating natatanggap ng mga nasugatan ang kailangan nilang gamutan at tulong,” Marcos said.