Vida appeals to parents: Guide, monitor children amid deadly school attacks

August 20, 2026

By ABOGADO.COM.PH Staff

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida has appealed to parents to closely guide and monitor their children amid a series of deadly school shooting incidents in the country.

In a chance interview, Vida urged parents and those exercising parental authority to take a more active role in knowing what their children are doing and to maintain open communication with them.

“Please, exercise it with earnest, no? Tutukan natin kung anong ginagawa ng mga bata natin. Let’s engage. Kausapin natin sila,” Vida said.

He stressed that parents know their children better and are therefore in the best position to guide them.

“You know your children better, you know your kids better. Please, tutukan natin yung mga bata kung ano yung ginagawa nila,” he said.

Vida issued the appeal following the Aug. 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University where a Grade 9 student allegedly opened fire before taking his own life.

The incident left the student and another Grade 10 student dead, while two others were injured.

The shooting came amid other school shooting incidents, including the fatal attack at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City last June, where two Grade 9 students allegedly opened fire, killing three students and injuring several others.

Vida said parents should not simply leave the responsibility of guiding children to others but should actively engage them and pay attention to their activities.#