Abbey M.

Malacañang said it is open to studying any proposed measure seeking to amend existing laws toward stricter gun ownership regulations in the country.

This came in the wake of the shooting tragedy at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where three students were killed.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said that if gun owners cannot be responsible with their firearms, then tighter regulations are warranted.

"Depende sa magiging proposal kung ito naman ay makakabuti talaga sa lalong proteksyon at seguridad, hindi naman kailangang sobrang mabigyan ng leeway sa pagbibigay ng armas lalo't di ka naman responsable," Castro said.

("It depends on what the proposal will be — if it will truly be beneficial for greater protection and security, there is no need to be overly lenient in granting the privilege of bearing arms, especially if you are not responsible.")

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The Department of Education (DepEd) has cleared the teachers and principal of San Jose National High School in Tacloban City of any liability in connection with the shooting incident that took place on the school grounds.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara visited the school on Monday and emphasized that the primary accountability for the violence should fall on whoever supplied the firearm used by the two student-shooters.

"Well sinabi rin naman ng PNP 'to, papanagutin kung kanino nanggaling ang baril, hindi naman natural na may baril ang mga bata," Angara said.

["The PNP also said this — whoever the gun came from will be held accountable. It is not natural for children to have guns."]

This came amid mounting calls from various sectors urging authorities to hold the school's teachers and principal accountable, citing alleged negligence that allowed the firearms to be brought onto campus.

Angara, however, stood firm in his position, noting that the teachers' swift actions may have in fact prevented a higher death toll.

"Kasi kung hindi dahil sa mga guro mas maraming namatay dito, yung principal hindi rin siguro," he said.

["Because if not for the teachers, more people would have died here — and probably the principal too."]

The secretary also expressed his desire to speak directly with the student-suspects to understand their mindset at the time of the incident.

"Hindi pa po. I'd like to talk to them just to... with the view to understand ano yung mindset nila," Angara said when asked if he had already spoken with the suspects.

["Not yet. I'd like to talk to them just to... with the view to understand what their mindset was."]

Angara also disclosed that DepEd is currently reviewing emergency protocols on how students should respond in the event of a shooting, noting that such protocols were previously not considered necessary.

"I think what we have now is yung ano yung protocol which we never have before, ano yung protocol kapag may namamaril na. It's something we never thought applicable pero meron palang ganyan. Si Sec. Herbosa nagsabi sa akin, so ano yung da-drop na kayo, ano yung behavior to minimize yung loss and deaths," Angara said.

["I think what we have now is a protocol we never had before — a protocol for when there is a shooting. It's something we never thought applicable, but it turns out there is one. Secretary Herbosa told me about it — so what you need to do is drop, and what behavior minimizes losses and deaths."]

Earlier in the day, Angara met with the teachers of San Jose National High School and pledged psychosocial support for them. He also visited the students recovering at Leyte Provincial Hospital.

Meanwhile, the Cavite provincial government announced it will be providing metal detectors to both public and private schools in the province, following a series of stabbing incidents on school grounds recorded there last week.

According to Police Lieutenant Sara Jane Drio, chief of the Cavite Police Provincial Office Public Information Office, the initiative aims to further strengthen security and ensure the safety of students, teachers, and other school personnel.

"Layunin po nito na higit pang mapalakas ang seguridad at matiyak ang kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral, mga guro, at iba pang mga kawani ng paaralan," Drio said.

["The goal is to further strengthen security and ensure the safety of students, teachers, and other school personnel."]

Once the metal detectors are procured and delivered to the schools, the Philippine National Police (PNP) will conduct seminars to train guards on how to properly operate the equipment.

"Ise-seminar po siguro ng PNP lahat po ng mga guards na nandoon sa mga eskwelahan para lalo po nating maisaayos ang seguridad ng mga paaralan," Drio added.

["The PNP will likely conduct seminars for all guards assigned to schools so that we can further improve school security."]

Angara likewise called on the police to ensure security both inside and outside school premises to prevent future incidents of violence.

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A purported shooting threat targeting students at Batangas City Integrated High School (BCIHS) prompted the school to suspend all classes and on-site activities beginning Monday, June 29, 2026, until further notice.

The threat was received through the school's official social media page late Sunday night, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co, who disclosed details during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.

Co said the message came from an individual who identified themselves as a Grade 10 student claiming to have been bullied by peers.

"I will shoot or stab you all in Grades 7, 8, 9, 10. I'm a Grade 10 student. You don't know me, but you bully me," Co paraphrased the threat during the briefing.

Investigators initially identified the sender as an unidentified individual, but Co noted that authorities were not ruling out the possibility that the account used a fictitious name.

In response to the threat, the BCIHS School Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (SDRRM) Coordinator issued an urgent announcement suspending all classes and advising learners, teaching and non-teaching personnel, and parents not to enter or proceed to school premises while the suspension remains in effect.

The school administration said it was coordinating with law enforcement authorities regarding the matter, and urged the school community to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and rely only on official communications from BCIHS.

Co said the decision on how long the school would suspend classes would be left to the Department of Education (DepEd).

Further updates on the resumption of classes will be issued once the situation has been assessed and the safety of the school community has been ensured, the school said.

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The Senate is in full preparation for the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte, which is expected to begin next week.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the chamber is looking at a timeline of seven to eight months for the trial to run, which means it is expected to conclude in February of next year if proceedings begin in July.

Following a five-day pre-trial conference last week, the pre-trial order is expected to be released today.

Gatchalian acknowledged that the schedule for the trial is tight, but said the Senate will work to complete all preliminary requirements before the July 6 start date. 

He added that the chamber will conduct dry runs to assess the setup needed for the proceedings, including security arrangements, to identify what else needs to be resolved and prepared.

Because the trial is expected to overlap with the Senate's legislative work, including budget season, Gatchalian said they are studying ways to potentially expedite the impeachment proceedings. 

The Senate plans to consult with the House prosecution panel and the defense team on the matter, especially given that around 10,000 pieces of evidence are expected to be presented during the trial.

On the matter of security, heightened security measures that took effect on June 4 remain in force. Gatchalian gave the following assurance:

"Una, patuloy ang ating pakikipagtulungan sa ating security agencies upang mapanatiling ligtas ang ating institusyon. Pangalawa, papayagan na ng Senado ang pagpasok ng mga bisita, alinsunod sa Visitor Management System na ipinatutupad ng OSAA."

(First, we will continue to coordinate with our security agencies to keep our institution safe. Second, the Senate will now allow visitors to enter, in accordance with the Visitor Management System being implemented by the OSAA.)

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President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is calling for a united effort to protect young students from various threats, following a series of violent incidents involving minors on school grounds.

In his latest vlog, the President expressed deep concern over the recurring violence affecting students, citing the shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City as the most alarming, which left three students dead and several others wounded.

Speaking not only as the country's chief executive but also as a father and a fellow Filipino, Marcos stressed the importance of ensuring the safety of the youth, especially within school premises.

"Ngayong araw, hindi lamang bilang Pangulo ang aking pananalita, kundi bilang isang ama, bilang kapwa Pilipino, at bilang isang taong lubos na nag-aalala sa kaligtasan ng ating mga anak."

(Today, I speak not only as the President, but as a father, as a fellow Filipino, and as someone who is deeply concerned about the safety of our children.)

In response, the President directed the relevant government agencies to intensify security measures in schools across the country.

"Kaya naman inaatasan ko ang ating mga ahensya sa edukasyon, kapulisan, kalusugan, at lokal na pamahalaan na higit pang palakasin ang mga hakbang para sa kaligtasan ng mga mag-aaral sa buong bansa."

(That is why I am directing our agencies in education, police, health, and local government to further strengthen the measures for the safety of students throughout the country.)

Marcos emphasized that schools must remain places where children learn, pursue their dreams, and develop their abilities — not places where parents fear for their children's safety.

The President also urged parents to keep a close watch on their children and not to underestimate the value of simple conversations at home.

"Huwag maliitin ang halaga ng isang simpleng pag-uusap kasama ang inyong anak. Minsan, ang pinakamahalagang proteksyong maibibigay natin sa ating mga anak ay ang ating oras, atensyon, at pag-unawa."

(Do not underestimate the value of a simple conversation with your child. Sometimes, the most important protection we can give our children is our time, attention, and understanding.)

Marcos also left a message directly for the youth.

"Sa bawat estudyanteng nanonood ngayon: Mahalaga ang iyong buhay. Mahalaga ang iyong mga pinagdaraanan at ang paghingi ng tulong ay hindi kailanman tanda ng kahinaan."

(To every student watching right now: Your life matters. What you are going through matters, and asking for help is never a sign of weakness.)

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