HOUSE Speaker Faustino “Bojie” G. Dy III and Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander “Sandro” Marcos have filed a bill strengthening the country’s firearms laws and safeguards as an immediate legislative response to the shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.
The Speaker said House Bill No. 11387, or the Responsible Firearm Ownership and Safe Storage Act, seeks to prevent minors and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to firearms as part of broader efforts to make schools safer and avert similar tragedies.
“This latest tragedy reinforces our resolve to build safer and more caring schools for every Filipino child. Bilang isa sa ating mga agarang hakbang, naghain kami ni Majority Leader Ferdinand Alexander ‘Sandro’ Marcos ng House Bill No. 11387 upang palakasin ang ating mga batas at safeguards sa pagmamay-ari, pag-iingat, at paggamit ng baril,” Dy said.
“This is a concrete step that we believe is necessary to prevent minors and other unauthorized persons from gaining access to firearms.”
In a statement, the Speaker said “lubos tayong nalulungkot at nababahala sa insidente ng pamamaril sa Banga National High School sa South Cotabato. Nakikiisa tayo sa mga mag-aaral, kanilang mga pamilya, mga guro, at sa buong komunidad ng paaralan na naapektuhan ng trahedyang ito.”
Dy warned that the incident was part of a serious and recurring problem that demands immediate attention.
“This is deeply concerning and distressing because it is not an isolated incident. Sa nakalipas na mga buwan, may iba pang pamamaril na naganap sa loob o paligid ng mga paaralan na kinasangkutan ng mga estudyante. Isa itong seryosong suliranin na kailangan nating tugunan kaagad,” he said.
The Speaker said protecting learners requires more than tighter security measures and must include stronger values formation, support systems, and interventions that address warning signs before violence occurs.
“We must take a hard look at how we can better protect our learners—not only through stronger school safety measures, but also by strengthening the values, support systems, and early interventions that can prevent violence in the first place,” he said.
“At the same time, mental health support for learners must be strengthened. Students experiencing distress, conflict, trauma, or other difficulties must have safe and accessible avenues to seek help. Schools must be equipped not only to respond when a crisis occurs, but also to recognize warning signs and provide timely and appropriate support.”
The former Isabela governor also appealed for responsible public discussion while authorities establish the complete and verified circumstances surrounding the incident.
“Habang hinihintay natin ang buo at beripikadong impormasyon tungkol sa insidente sa Banga, maging responsable rin sana tayo sa ating pagtugon. Huwag ipakalat ang mga sensitibo o graphic na larawan at video ng insidente, at huwag magbahagi ng mga kuwento o paratang na hindi pa napatutunayan,” Dy said.
“Muli nating ipinapaalala ang panawagan ng Department of Education na iwasang ikalat ang hindi beripikadong impormasyon at mga video bilang paggalang sa mga biktima at kanilang mga pamilya.”
The Speaker stressed that schools must remain places where children feel secure, conflicts are resolved without violence, and learners know that help is available when they need it.
“Ang ating mga paaralan ay dapat maging ligtas na lugar para sa mga bata—kung saan pinahahalagahan ang buhay, tinutugunan ang mga alitan nang may malasakit sa halip na karahasan, at alam ng bawat mag-aaral na maaari at nararapat silang humingi ng tulong,” he said.
“Sa Kongreso, makikipagtulungan tayo sa DepEd, mga paaralan, mga magulang, at iba pang kinauukulang sektor upang maisulong ang magkakaugnay na mga hakbang na kailangan—mula sa kaligtasan sa paaralan at responsableng pagmamay-ari ng baril hanggang sa mental health support at maagap na pagtugon sa mga batang nanganganib. Hindi tayo titigil hangga’t hindi natin nagagawa ang lahat upang maiwasang maulit ang ganitong trahedya.”
metrosundaily
