PRESIDENT Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has directed concerned government agencies to strengthen school security and step up efforts to prevent violence in educational institutions, including the early detection of behavioral warning signs among students.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President wants teachers and other school personnel to receive appropriate training from psychologists and psychiatrists to help them recognize signs of behavioral problems that could lead to violence.

“Ang utos ng Pangulo, unang-una po, kailangan ang mga teachers, ang mga teaching personnel, sila po ay mabigyan ng kaalaman through a psychologist, psychiatrist para malaman kung ang isang bata ba ay may senyales na,” Castro said.

Marcos also called for closer coordination among teachers, parents, barangay officials, and social workers to strengthen preventive measures and ensure that children exhibiting behavioral or emotional difficulties receive appropriate attention and support.

The directive followed reports of separate incidents involving minors, including a 12-year-old student who was allegedly found carrying a firearm near an elementary school in Misamis Oriental on October 22 and a 13-year-old student who allegedly stabbed an 11-year-old schoolmate in Davao City on October 24.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is intensifying efforts to educate parents and teachers on identifying behavioral changes and signs of emotional distress among children through its network of social workers.

The initiatives aim to strengthen cooperation among schools, families, and communities in identifying potential risks early and ensuring that schools remain safe environments for learners and education personnel.