Philippines passes school safety bill after fatal South Cotabato shooting

school shooting South Cotabato Comprehensive School Safety Act Sara Duterte campus security

Following a fatal shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato that left three students dead, the Philippine government and legislature are responding with new security measures and political friction. The incident, involving a student using a firearm belonging to his father, marks the third fatal school shooting in the country within three months.

In the Senate, lawmakers approved the Comprehensive School Safety Act, which establishes a national framework for school security, including requirements for emergency response plans and campus safety standards. Additionally, Education Secretary Sonny Angara has proposed a Joint School Safety Task Force involving the PNP and DILG to conduct security audits at public schools.

The tragedy has also sparked a political confrontation. Vice President Sara Duterte criticized the Marcos administration, alleging that the government's focus on political consolidation has compromised public safety and the protection of children. Meanwhile, local authorities and the Department of Education are investigating how the minor obtained the weapon and are exploring measures such as the use of transparent school bags to deter contraband.

Entities

Banga National High School · Department of Education · Ferdinand Marcos Jr. · Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. · Philippine Senate · Sara Duterte · Sonny Angara

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Senate approved the Comprehensive School Safety Act (Senate Bill No. 2426) on its third and final reading. astig.ph
[● 3 SOURCES] The Marcos administration failed the victims of the Banga school shooting due to prioritizing political consolidation over governance. www.brigadanews.ph · edgedavao.net · philnews.ph
[● 2 SOURCES] The Banga National High School shooting is the third fatal school shooting in the Philippines in the past three months. astig.ph · gulfnews.com
[● 4 SOURCES] Three people died, including the suspected student gunman, in the Banga National High School shooting. www.brigadanews.ph · wakeup.sg · balita.com · gulfnews.com
[● 2 SOURCES] The firearm used in the shooting belonged to the shooter's father, a Department of Education employee. wakeup.sg · balita.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Education Secretary Sonny Angara proposed a Joint School Safety Task Force to audit security at public schools. gulfnews.com