The student was reportedly stabbed inside the school following an alleged dispute involving another minor. Authorities are investigating how a balisong entered the campus despite the presence of security measures.
Earlier in the day, Go, through his team, extended financial assistance to the bereaved family to help with immediate and funeral-related expenses. He also conveyed his condolences and sympathies to the family following the student’s death.
Go said the investigation must determine how the bladed weapon was brought inside the school and whether existing inspection and safety procedures were properly implemented.
“Dapat ligtas ang ating mga estudyante habang nasa paaralan. Kailangang malaman kung paano naipasok ang patalim at kung may pagkukulang sa pagpapatupad ng security protocols,” Go said.
The Las Piñas City incident came amid growing concern over violence and security threats in Philippine schools. On June 22, two students opened fire inside San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, killing three fellow students and injuring at least 20 others. Police said the firearms were brought into a campus that had only one security guard assigned to multiple entrances and exits.
On July 27, a 55-year-old teacher at Elizalde National High School in Maco, Davao de Oro, was allegedly assaulted by two Grade 10 students after reprimanding one of them for violating the school’s policy on wearing earrings. The teacher reportedly sustained injuries before other students intervened. Maps
More recently, General Santos City SPED Integrated School and Buayan National High School were placed on alert following separate online posts threatening shootings against students and teachers upon the resumption of face-to-face classes on August 3. Police personnel were deployed to the schools while investigators worked to identify the individuals behind the threats.
Go said the incidents reinforce the need for every school to maintain functional security systems and credible procedures for identifying and responding to threats before they result in harm.
Go also urged the national government to study the possible deployment of uniformed personnel, particularly police officers, to augment security measures in learning institutions.
The senator also reminded schools to strengthen programs on discipline, peaceful conflict resolution, responsible behavior, and the serious consequences of violence.
Aside from the security concerns, the victim’s sister reportedly questioned the absence of a nurse who could have immediately administered first aid after the stabbing.
Go said the concern raised by the family must be carefully examined as part of the investigation, including the medical response provided inside the campus and the circumstances surrounding the student’s transfer to a hospital.
“Sa ganitong emergency, mahalaga ang bawat minuto. Dapat may trained health personnel na makapagbibigay agad ng first aid habang inaayos ang mabilis na pagdala sa ospital,” he said.
Go cautioned against reaching conclusions before the investigation is completed but emphasized that every school must have clear and functional procedures for responding to injuries and other medical emergencies.
The incident, he said, underscores the need to advance Senate Bill No. 1780, or the proposed Mandatory School Clinics Act, which he filed to require functional clinics in every public elementary and secondary school nationwide.
Under the bill, existing school clinics would be assessed and upgraded when necessary.
Each clinic would provide basic medical, dental, nursing, first-aid, and emergency services to students, teachers, and school personnel.
The proposed clinics would also conduct health screenings and monitoring, disease-prevention activities, health education, and nutrition assessment and counseling.
They would be equipped with adequate medicines, medical supplies, sanitation facilities, first-aid materials, and emergency response equipment.
The measure also seeks to ensure that each clinic is staffed by at least one school nurse or another qualified health professional under the supervision of the Department of Education and in coordination with the Department of Health and concerned local government units.
“Hindi sapat na may silid lamang na tinatawag na clinic. Dapat may kagamitan, gamot, malinaw na emergency protocol, at health professional na handang tumugon kapag may nasaktan o nagkasakit,” Go said.
The senator previously cited the limited number of public schools with functional clinics, leaving many learners without immediate access to basic medical services during school hours.
His proposal gives priority to schools without existing clinics, campuses with large student populations, schools in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, and those located in disaster-prone communities.
Go said school clinics are needed not only for common illnesses experienced during class hours but also for serious incidents in which immediate first aid and rapid referral could affect a patient’s chances of survival.
He also urged schools to establish clear coordination arrangements with nearby hospitals, local health offices, ambulance services, barangay responders, and law enforcement agencies.
“Dapat alam ng bawat guro at school personnel kung sino ang tatawagan, saan dadalhin ang pasyente, at ano ang dapat gawin habang hinihintay ang medical responders,” he said.
Go called on the Department of Education, local governments, and school administrators to immediately review their security systems and emergency medical arrangements even while the proposed Mandatory School Clinics Act remains under consideration.
The senator called for a complete and impartial investigation that would determine accountability while observing the laws governing children in conflict with the law.
“Hindi na natin maibabalik ang buhay na nawala, pero tungkulin nating alamin ang nangyari at gumawa ng konkretong hakbang upang hindi na ito maulit. Dapat protektado ang mga bata laban sa karahasan at may agarang tulong medikal kapag may emergency,” Go concluded.