Marcos orders thorough probe into Banga High School shooting

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President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. ordered concerned government agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the school shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato that left three students dead and several others injured.

In a statement, Marcos expressed his sympathies to the families who lost their children in the shooting and assured them they would receive the necessary assistance.

“Ngayon, iniutos ko sa Department of Education, DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), at Philippine National Police na mag-report sa akin ukol sa mga hakbang na naisagawa na matapos ang mga nakaraang insidente. Sa mga susunod na araw, ilalabas natin ang karagdagang mga hakbang upang tugunan ang mga puwang na nananatili at mas mapangalagaan ang ating mga mag-aaral,” Marcos said.

(Today, I ordered the Department of Education, DILG, and the Philippine National Police to report to me on the steps taken following previous incidents. In the coming days, we will announce additional measures to address the remaining gaps and better protect our students.)

“Iniutos ko rin ang isang masusing imbestigasyon sa naganap na pamamaril ngayong araw, kabilang na kung paano nakakuha at nakapasok ang isang menor de edad ng baril sa loob ng paaralan,” he added.

(I also ordered a thorough investigation into today’s shooting, including how a minor obtained a gun and brought it into the school.)

Marcos also ordered concerned agencies to strengthen security measures in schools.

“Hindi natin maaaring tanggapin na maging bahagi na lamang ng buhay ng ating mga anak ang mga pamamaril sa paaralan,” Marcos said.

(We cannot allow school shootings to become a part of our children’s lives.)

Children have the right to study without fear, while parents have the right to send their children to school knowing they are safe, Marcos said.

The South Cotabato shooting was the country’s third school shooting since June. A shooting at a school in Tacloban City in June left three people dead, while a shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga in August left two students dead, including the shooter. —VBL, GMA News