MANILA – Sen. Erwin Tulfo called for stronger parental guidance and tighter firearm controls following a series of incidents involving violence and guns in schools.

Tulfo, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Social Justice, Welfare, and Rural Development, urged parents and guardians to maintain open communication with their children and not rely solely on technology to monitor their well-being.

His call came after a firearm was recovered from the bag of a Grade 9 student in Pinamungajan, Cebu, days after a shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University (ADZU) left two students dead and nine others injured.

Authorities said the firearm recovered from the Cebu student was allegedly owned by his grandfather.

“It really starts at home. What made these kids think that it’s alright to bring weapons at school?” Tulfo said in a statement.

“This should be a lesson for everybody, for every parent, guardian out there. Please, please talk to your children, talk to your child. We should ask if they’re okay and really know what’s going on inside their mind,” he added.

Tulfo said children are not inherently violent and that various circumstances may trigger violent behavior, underscoring the need for parents and guardians to provide proper guidance and support.

The senator also called for greater accountability among firearm owners and custodians, particularly those who negligently leave guns within children’s reach.

He said legislation is being prepared to impose criminal liability on negligent gun owners and firearm custodians.

“We cannot wait for another fatality or more collateral damage. There has to be a law that will strengthen the existing framework on firearm ownership,” Tulfo said.

He said the proposed measure would seek to prevent children from gaining access to firearms and promote responsible gun ownership among parents, guardians, and other firearm custodians.

“The intention is clear: ensure that every child will not have access to a firearm, gun-owning parents and guardians practice responsible ownership, and that no firearm entrusted to either a public or private individual, will ever become an instrument of tragedy in the hands of a child,” Tulfo added.