The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) expresses grave concern over the succeeding reports of violent incidents taking place in schools, including a stabbing incident by a 15 year-old; the death of a 12 year-old following a fatal accidental shooting; and reported bomb threats received by several elementary and high schools.

CHR recognises the efforts of concerned local government units, as well as by the Department of Education (DepEd), in providing immediate interventions as applicable, such as psychological first aid and debriefing sessions. The subsequent investigations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on these cases are also positive steps in ensuring accountabilities and may help in preventing similar incidents from happening.

Going further, PNP Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., during a press briefing, also urged public and private schools to allow the presence of police officers inside their premises as a “crime deterrent” measure, even envisioning the increased presence of police officers to prevent acts of bullying among students within and beyond school grounds.

While we acknowledge the intent of the PNP in protecting the welfare of the students, CHR underscores the need to uphold the best interest of child in these instances—consistent with the Philippine government’s obligations as a signatory to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and as embodied in our domestic laws—and seek balance in upholding safety in educational institutions by further studying the implications of this proposal.

A child’s best interest is a holistic concept that embraces the child’s physical, mental, spiritual, moral, psychological, and social development. The Committee on the Rights of the Children in its General Comment No. 14 (2013) underscore the need to satisfy the State’s obligation by appropriately integrating and consistently applying the framework of the child’s best interest in all matters that may directly or indirectly impact them.

The Committee also clarified that “an adult’s judgment of a child’s best interest cannot override the obligation to respect all the child’s rights under the Convention [on the Rights of the Child].”

We thus urge the PNP to similarly consult and work with DepEd in protecting the rights of children in educational settings. CHR highlights DepEd Department Order (DO) No. 40, s.2012 or the Child Protection Policy, which established the creation of the multisectoral Child Protection Committee [1], and the DepEd DO No. 003, s.2021, which created the Child Protection Unit and Child Rights in Education Desk in DepEd [2]. The objective of these policies is to give life to CRC on the ground by protecting students from cruelty carried out by fellow students, adults, and/or persons in authority, as well as other conditions that may hamper their education and development.

At the same time, CHR also maintains full support on DepEd’s Rights-Based Education Framework for Philippine Basic Education, which aims to instill among learners their intrinsic human rights and that of others ().

To recall, in 2021, DepEd also released a statement discouraging presence of armed police in schools. Citing Deped DO No. 32, s.2019 on the National Policy Framework on Learners and Schools as Zones of Peace, it was reiterated that: “Schools, as a general rule, should be free from the presence of armed combatants, whether they be from government forces or armed groups. Armed force protection units from government forces, if needed, shall be situated proximate to the school and not inside the school.” DepeEd stressed that observing the said guidelines was necessary for “our learners to feel safe, secured, and nurtured.”

When carried out effectively, CHR believes that these policies, together with consultations, provide the necessary means to foster a setting conducive for child development and learning.

CHR, as Ombud for Children [3], reminds everyone that child development is a multisectoral responsibility. As we stress that it is the government’s primary duty to protect, promote, and uphold human rights, we similarly encourage families and communities to engage children through empathy and open communication, which are necessary precursors in establishing a just and humane society.

CHR is ready to assist government in fulfilling its human rights obligations in line without our mandate as the country’s independent national human rights institution. ###

[1] Department of Education Child Protection Policy,
[2] Creation of the Child Protection Unit and the Child Rights in Education Desk in the Department of Education,
[3] CHR Operational Guidelines and Rules and Procedures for Monitoring the Convention on the Rights of the Child,