CPD calls for family, school action after Zamboanga university shooting

MANILA — The Commission on Population and Development (CPD) has called for comprehensive measures to prevent school violence, highlighting the need for enhanced family support systems and adolescent development programs in the wake of a deadly shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU).

In a statement following the incident, the CPD stressed the importance of strengthening protective mechanisms across families, schools, and communities to safeguard young students. The agency expressed its condolences to the families of the two junior high school victims and the broader AdZU community affected by the tragedy.

The CPD's appeal underscores growing concerns over youth safety in educational institutions across the Philippines. The commission emphasized that coordinated action involving parents, educators, and community leaders is essential to create safer learning environments and address underlying factors that contribute to such incidents.

The agency's recommendations align with broader calls from education and child welfare advocates for implementing evidence-based prevention strategies in schools, including mental health support services, violence intervention programs, and improved campus security protocols.