SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday (17 Aug 2025) emphasized that police visibility in schools should be geared toward ensuring safety and peace of mind for learners, teachers, and parents—rather than instilling fear.

“The safety of our learners must always come first, and protecting them is a shared responsibility. Police visibility in schools should give learners, teachers, and parents peace of mind, not fear—especially in light of recent incidents of violence in some schools,” Gatchalian said.

The senator also underscored the need to strengthen support systems within schools, calling for more robust guidance and counseling programs as well as strict enforcement of anti-bullying policies.

“Ligtas at payapang kapaligiran ang pundasyon ng maayos na pag-aaral ng bawat bata,” he added.

He further stressed that a secure and supportive environment is vital to students’ learning and development.

Gatchalian, who chaired the Senate Committee on Basic Education in the previous Congress, has consistently pushed for stronger child protection measures to ensure classrooms remain safe spaces for learning.