By el Amigo
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Mark Villar has renewed his appeal for the immediate passage of a measure aimed at strengthening security in schools following the fatal stabbing of a Grade 9 student inside Las Piñas National High School.
The renewed push came after a 13-year-old student was allegedly stabbed to death by a 14-year-old schoolmate within the school premises, raising fresh concerns over campus safety.
Villar said the tragedy underscores the urgency of approving Senate Bill No. 2321, also known as the Learning Institution’s Guaranteed Threat Avoidance and Safety (Ligtas) Act, which seeks to enhance security measures in both public and private basic education institutions.
The proposed legislation calls for stronger coordination with law enforcement through increased police visibility, regular threat assessments, and direct emergency communication lines linking schools with police, fire, and other emergency response agencies.
It also proposes immediate notification systems for parents during emergencies, adequate medical supplies and trained responders on campus, installation of CCTV cameras and security screening equipment, and regular safety training for students, teachers, and school personnel.
“Our schools must always be places of safety, learning, and hope—not places where children face violence and danger. Every student deserves to pursue education without fear,” Villar said.
The senator first introduced the Ligtas Act in early July following several violent incidents in schools, including a shooting in Tacloban City and separate stabbing cases in Cavite and Las Piñas.
elamigo/xf
