TACLOBAN CITY — The homes of the three students killed in the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School have become places of mourning visited by some of the country’s most influential political leaders. But amid the flowers, condolences, and promises of assistance, the victims’ families say their appeal remains unchanged: they want justice for their children.

Since the deadly campus shooting that claimed the lives of Joyancee Separa, 16; Nicole Daza, 14; and Chris Lorenz Fabian, 16, and left 20 others injured, including 15 with gunshot wounds, a stream of national officials has visited the wake of the slain students to express sympathy and extend assistance.

Among those who paid their respects were Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez, Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Senators Bam Aquino and Robin Padilla, and Vice President Sara Duterte. Floral wreaths bearing the name of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. were also sent to the families.

For the grieving parents, however, the visits have not eased the pain of losing their children.

At the wake of Joyancee Separa, her mother, Jenny Baldoria, recalled how the wreath sent by Vice President Duterte was initially placed outside their home because there was no longer enough space beside her daughter’s coffin.

“I was later told that it should be brought inside, so we placed it beside the wreath sent by the President,” Baldoria said, adding that she was not home when both floral arrangements were delivered.

At the nearby wake of Chris Lorenz Fabian, wreaths from both President Marcos and Vice President Duterte also stood side by side.

Chris Lorenz’s grandmother, Ahlette Fabian, said the family’s appreciation for the expressions of sympathy remains overshadowed by their desire to see those responsible held accountable.

“We are grateful for the condolences and the support, but what we truly want is justice for Chris,” she said.

She added that she had heard reports that President Marcos might personally visit the wake, although no official confirmation had been received.

The June 22 shooting, one of the deadliest school attacks in recent Philippine history, has drawn national attention and renewed calls for stronger school security, improved mental health services, and stricter measures to prevent violence on school campuses.

The attack also unfolded against the backdrop of an increasingly visible political divide between President Marcos and Vice President Duterte, whose alliance in the 2022 elections has since unraveled. Yet inside the modest homes where the victims lie in state, politics has taken a back seat to grief.

Family photographs, school medals, and graduation dreams left unfulfilled now surround the coffins of the three teenagers. While wreaths and visits from the country’s highest officials have brought national attention to their loss, relatives say no gesture can replace the lives taken by the tragedy.

As investigations continue and the nation mourns, the families insist that the greatest tribute their children can receive is not from flowers or high-profile visits, but from the swift delivery of justice.

(JOEY A.GABIETA)

TACLOBAN CITY—The three provinces of Samar and Biliran province received new patient transport vehicles (PTVs) and their shares from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) lotto revenues during a turnover ceremony held on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Toyota Mabolo in Cebu City, strengthening local healthcare and emergency response services.

Biliran Governor Rogelio Espina personally received the vehicles saying these would help boost the delivery of medical services and even emergency cases across the province.
The province of Samar also received their own units with Governor Sharee Ann Tan personally accepting a new patient transport vehicle intended for use by the Samar Provincial Hospital. The unit is expected to enhance the province’s capacity to safely and efficiently transport patients, particularly those needing urgent medical attention.
Eastern Samar Governor Ralph Vincent Evardone also received two patient transport vehicles, along with the province’s share of PCSO lotto revenues during the same ceremony.

Eastern Samar was among 10 beneficiary provinces in the Visayas that received a total of 18 patient transport vehicles valued at P38.502 million. Other recipients included Cebu, Bohol, Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor.
In addition, Eastern Samar received P276,826 as its share from PCSO lotto revenues covering July to December 2025, which will support various provincial government programs and services.

PCSO officials said the turnover highlights the agency’s continuing commitment to support local governments in improving healthcare systems, emergency response, and public service delivery across the regions.

(LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA)

TACLOBAN CITY — The Department of Education (DepEd) has conducted a three-day Psychological First Aid (PFA) intervention for students and personnel of San Jose National High School (SJNHS), days after a campus shooting that claimed the lives of three students and injured 20 others.

The psychosocial intervention, which opened on Wednesday, June 23, is part of DepEd’s immediate response to help the school community recover from the June 22 tragedy, considered one of the most devastating incidents to hit a school in Tacloban City in recent years.

Conducted in partnership with the Department of Health, mental health professionals, government agencies, and faith-based organizations, the program aims to provide emotional support and help affected students, teachers, and school personnel process the trauma brought about by the incident.

DepEd Tacloban Schools Division Senior Guidance Coordinator Julienne Rosa Saballa said all teaching personnel will undergo the intervention, while priority is being given to students who directly witnessed or were most affected by the shooting.

“If these experiences are not addressed now, they may manifest later in adulthood. Among students, one sign is when they no longer want to attend classes or lose interest in school, and that could have a significant impact on their future,” Saballa said, translating her remarks from Waray.

She said early psychosocial intervention is vital because untreated trauma may lead to long-term mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, poor coping mechanisms, and feelings of helplessness and isolation.

Saballa also urged parents to remain vigilant for changes in their children’s behavior, emotions, or school performance and to seek professional help if needed.

The intervention is being conducted at St. Roch the Healer Parish and San Jose Parish in Tacloban City’s San Jose district. It is facilitated by DepEd nurses, Department of Health personnel, trained guidance counselors, psychiatrists, psychologists, and mental health practitioners from both government and non-government organizations.

Participants engage in storytelling, art therapy, emotional processing activities, and individual and group counseling sessions aimed at helping them express their feelings, regain a sense of safety, and begin the healing process.

According to DepEd, the intervention follows the internationally recognized Psychological First Aid framework anchored on the principles of “look, listen, and link,” which focuses on ensuring safety, listening with empathy, validating emotions, and connecting affected individuals to practical assistance, social support, and specialized mental health services.
The psychological intervention is part of DepEd’s continuing efforts to restore a sense of normalcy at San Jose National High School as students and teachers gradually return to classes following the deadly shooting.

(ROEL T. AMAZONA)