On nursery school attack

Thailand is in a state of shock and mourning. The recent attack that killed 38 people and 24 nursery kids is the deadliest rampage in the country's history. The gruesome massacre happened inside the nursery school in broad daylight. The tragedy was in the rural town of Uthan Sawan in the province Nongbua Lamphu Northeastern border.

The assailant Panya Kamrab, a 34-year-old ex-cop armed with a pistol and knife, killed dozens of children aged 2 to 4 who were taking a nap along with their teachers. He then went home and killed his wife and child before killing himself. He committed a bloody crime due to mental issues and a history of drugs.

Wakeup call

What are the profound implications of this incident on the country's drug problems and public-school security? To avoid such incidents, the Philippine National Police (PNP) must conduct monitoring of all its active and inactive personnel through regular surprise drug tests and psychiatric/psychological examinations. To ensure the public that our police officers are physically, mentally, and psychologically fit.

Beef up school security

The Department of Education (DepEd) must also do something about school safety and security. Many public schools in the hinterlands are vulnerable targets for any form of attack. It is because they have no proper and adequate security management and personnel. Most schools hired only watchmen or barangay "tanods" to guard the school gates. These detailed unarmed school security personnel don’t have enough training and combat experience. These temporary security arrangement and procedure are insufficient to protect the school property and the learners.

Mass shootings are rare in the country, where gun laws are strict, and illegal possession of firearms carries a stiff penalty. However, we should not let our guard down and disregard proper security protocol. All public schools deserve better security and protection regardless of size and location. The state should act on this issue before it is too late, and any untoward incident happens. What happened in American schools and Thailand can happen here. Better safe than sorry!