Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday criticized the Marcos administration over the deadly shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, saying the tragedy exposed the failures in protecting children and maintaining public safety.
In a statement, Duterte said the incident is the third school shooting in the country this year and said the violence should serve as a warning that schools can no longer be assumed to be safe from such attacks.
“The Marcos administration has failed the victims and survivors of the South Cotabato tragedy. Countless more Filipino children remain at risk of becoming casualties of this government’s incompetence and neglect,” Duterte said.
The Banga National High School shooting on September 18 left three students dead, including the suspected shooter, while several others were injured.
Authorities have continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Duterte said the shooting reflected what she described as a broader problem of violence in Philippine society, which she attributed to the government’s failure to ensure that Filipinos can live in a safe and peaceful environment.
“This reminds us that when a government prioritizes political consolidation over fundamental governance, the protection of children is inevitably compromised,” she said.
She also accused the Marcos administration of being preoccupied with political interests instead of addressing security and governance concerns.
“At sa halip na may makabuluhang aksyon at pagpapatupad ng kaayusan, ang administrasyong Marcos ay nakakulong sa walang katapusang laro ng political survival at consolidation. Para kasi sa administrasyong Marcos, mas madali ang maging inutil, magnakaw, at magsamantala kaysa magsilbi nang tapat sa bayan,” she added.
Duterte said the government must do more to prevent Filipino children from becoming victims of violence.
“We deserve better leadership than this,” she said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) has said learner safety remains its immediate priority, while the Philippine National Police (PNP) has proposed stronger coordination and site-specific security audits for schools nationwide.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, including how a minor was able to obtain and bring a firearm inside the school.
He also said school shootings should not become a normal part of Filipino children’s lives.
