MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed government agencies to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into recent incidents of school-based violence in Luzon and Mindanao.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Thursday that the President ordered the Department of Education (DepEd), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Philippine National Police (PNP) to work together in investigating the incidents. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) was also tasked to assess the implementation of child protection policies in schools nationwide.

“Kailangan po talagang maimbestigahan ito lalo po’t may mga menor de edad na nasasangkot po dito at nagiging issue na talaga ‘yung mental health sa mga kabataan,” Castro said.

The directive followed a series of violent incidents in schools. On August 7, a 15-year-old female student in Nueva Ecija was shot by her ex-boyfriend inside a classroom; the suspect took his own life. The victim later died after falling into a coma.

On August 4, a teacher at Balabagan Trade School in Lanao del Sur was allegedly shot and killed by a Grade 11 student reportedly upset over failing grades.

On August 10, a 9-year-old Grade 3 student at Maria Cristina Falls Elementary School was allegedly mauled by five high school students, sustaining serious injuries. The child, initially in a coma, has reportedly regained consciousness.

“Hindi po ito tutulugan at aaksyunan po ito ng mga concerned agencies, agad-agad din po,” Castro said.

In response, Education Secretary Sonny Angara issued a memorandum on August 8 directing all schools to tighten security measures, including mandatory bag inspections, increased visibility of security personnel, and stricter control of entry and exit points. DepEd also called on schools to strengthen mechanisms for reporting and addressing incidents involving child abuse, bullying, violence, exploitation, discrimination, and gang-related activity.