Metro Manila, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte blamed the Marcos administration’s alleged “incompetence and neglect” for what she said was its failure to protect the victims and survivors of the shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.

Duterte said the attack was the third school shooting recorded in the Philippines this year and warned that similar violence could happen in schools at any time.

“This reminds us that when a government prioritizes political consolidation over fundamental governance, the protection of children is inevitably compromised,” Duterte said in a statement Monday, Sept. 21.

She argued that violence in Philippine society has been worsened by the government’s failure to ensure that Filipinos can live safely and peacefully.

“Para kasi sa administrasyong Marcos, mas madali ang maging inutil, magnakaw, at magsamantala kaysa magsilbi nang tapat sa bayan,” Duterte added.

[Translation: “For the Marcos administration, it is easier to be useless, steal, and exploit than to serve the country honestly.”]

The vice president accused the administration of focusing on its political survival instead of implementing measures to maintain peace and order.

“The Marcos administration has failed the victims and survivors of the South Cotabato tragedy,” Duterte said.

“Countless more Filipino children remain at risk of becoming casualties of this government’s incompetence and neglect,” she added.

Duterte ended her statement by saying the country deserves better leadership.

The vice president did not identify specific government actions or omissions that she believed contributed to the shooting.

Three people died in the shooting at Banga National High School on Friday, including two 14-year-old students and the suspected gunman.

At least eight other students were wounded.