SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian urged the police and military to work closely with the Department of Education and local government units in ensuring the safety of schools, especially those in areas that are prone to attacks by rebels.

“It is reprehensible and unjustifiable that armed encounters take place near our schools which put the lives of our learners, teachers, and school personnel in peril,” Gatchalian said.

He cited the incident in Masbate where five encounters between the military and the New People’s Army occurred since January this year, two of which happened on March 22.

The senator said that schools should be zones of peace.

“I cannot fathom the trauma that these incidents caused to our learners and their communities. I strongly denounce these acts,” the senator said.

“It is also crucial that our law and security enforcers remain alert so we can avert similar incidents,” he added.

The chairperson of the Senate Committee on Basic Education promised to continue working with different stakeholders to identify steps to ensure the safety of the learners, the teachers and their communities.