Politics · Philippines Bureau
Duterte blames Marcos administration for spate of school shootings
Vice President Sara Duterte has attributed recent school shooting incidents to inadequate security measures under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s administration. Three students were killed in the latest incident in South Cotabato.
LSN Philippines ·
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday attributed a series of school shooting incidents this year to shortcomings in the Marcos administration's approach to child protection and school security.
Duterte's statement came following the latest fatal shooting at a school in South Cotabato, which claimed three student lives. The incident marks the third fatal school shooting recorded in the Philippines in 2024, raising renewed concerns about safety in educational institutions.
The Vice President emphasized that the recurring incidents underscore the urgent need for enhanced protective measures for children in schools. She pointed to what she characterized as gaps in the government's security protocols and enforcement mechanisms that should prevent such tragedies.
The statement adds to ongoing tensions between Duterte and the Marcos administration. School safety has emerged as a critical policy issue, with education officials and civil society groups calling for comprehensive security reviews across educational facilities nationwide.
Authorities have begun investigations into the South Cotabato incident as police work to identify the shooter and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.