Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, Sept. 21, accused the Marcos administration of failing the victims and survivors of the shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, saying the incident exposed the continuing vulnerability of Filipino children to violence.
Duterte said in a statement that the Banga shooting was the third school shooting in the Philippines this year and warned that similar incidents could happen in schools at any time.
“This reminds us that when a government prioritizes political consolidation over fundamental governance, the protection of children is inevitably compromised,” Duterte said.
She linked the shooting to what she described as widespread violence in Philippine society, which she attributed in part to the government’s failure to ensure that Filipinos can live safely and peacefully.
Duterte also directly criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration, accusing it of prioritizing political survival and consolidation over governance and public safety.
“Para kasi sa administrasyong Marcos, mas madali ang maging inutil, magnakaw, at magsamantala kaysa magsilbi nang tapat sa bayan (For the Marcos administration, it is easier to be useless, steal, and exploit than to serve the country faithfully),” Duterte said.
She described the administration as being preoccupied with what she called an “endless game of political survival and consolidation” rather than taking meaningful steps to maintain peace and order.
Duterte said the administration had failed those affected by the South Cotabato shooting and warned that other Filipino children could face similar risks.
“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,” she said.
Her statement came as authorities continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting at Banga National High School and dealing with its aftermath.
Duterte said the incident should serve as a reminder of the need to strengthen the protection of children in schools.
“We deserve better leadership than this,” Duterte said.
Photo courtesy of The New York Times
Comments