By CESAR JOLITO III
Stronger school security measures, improved mental health services and closer coordination among authorities have been the call of Negros Occidental 3rd District Representative Javier Miguel “Javi” Benitez following recent incidents that have heightened concerns over student safety in Negros Occidental.
In a statement released yesterday, Benitez expressed sympathy for the victims of the recent school tragedy in Tacloban City, where three students were killed, and 20 others were injured, and acknowledged the growing anxiety among families after separate incidents in the province.
He cited the stabbing of a student outside a school in Negros Occidental’s San Carlos City and the circulation of alarming online messages that have prompted some parents in Escalante City and Toboso to keep their children at home.
He noted that the stabbing reportedly stemmed from a personal grudge rather than video game influence, emphasizing that authorities should instead focus on identifying individuals who exploit vulnerable children online.
The lawmaker also pointed out that the student had reportedly informed a teacher about the threats before the incident, stressing the need to strengthen response mechanisms to reports made by students.
He urged the public to immediately report online threats or suspicious messages to school authorities or the police and appealed to the public not to circulate the identities or screenshots involving minors on social media.
Ban violent video games?
Addressing calls to ban violent video games following recent incidents, Benitez said such a measure would not directly address the root causes of school violence.
Among the measures he proposed are securing firearms in communities, increasing the number of guidance counselors and mental health professionals in schools, strengthening campus security through controlled entry points and trained personnel, and equipping schools with metal detectors and bag scanners.
Benitez likewise called on local governments to enhance coordination with the police and the Department of Education to improve emergency preparedness in schools.
He said he intends to raise these concerns in Congress through his work on the committee on technology and the creative industries, with particular focus on strengthening online child safety.
“Passing new laws alone is not enough,” Benitez said, adding that children need to see concrete actions that will make them feel safe and protected in their schools and communities./CCJ, WDJ