The suspect in the shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato was “heavily into” the “deep dark web,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Saturday.
During a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City, Remulla said initial investigation showed that the student was not bullied but had been exposed to harmful content online that allegedly influenced his actions, according to a report by RH Tina Nolasco.
“Upon investigation, he was heavily again, into a deep dark web… He was into a deep dark web which influenced him,” Remulla said.
Authorities also discovered notes on the student’s cellphone indicating that he had been struggling with depression, according to Remulla. The student’s parents reportedly discovered the notes in April 2026 and had previously spoken with him about his condition.
“According to his phone, he left several notes dealing [with] his depression at tuloy-tuloy ito. It was discovered last April 2026 ng parents niya and the parents try to handle the situation ngunit nagkulang,” Remulla said.
The attack occurred at around 1 p.m. Friday, leaving three people dead, including two Grade 9 students and the alleged shooter, according to Remulla. Eight other students were injured and received medical treatment.
Remulla extended his condolences to the victims’ families, as well as the family of the alleged shooter.
“This is another incident and one too many. Again, for the third time, an illegal gun was used that was not secured,” Remulla said.
Authorities said the firearm used in the shooting was legally owned but was not properly secured.
According to Remulla, the student’s father, a Department of Education (DepEd) disaster risk mitigation officer, owned three licensed firearms. One of the firearms was allegedly accessed and taken by the student.
“Ang ama niya po ay official ng DepEd, ang designation ay disaster risk mitigation officer. Meron po siyang tatlong licensed firearms na hindi secured enough na nabuksan ng bata at kinuha ’yung baril,” he said.
Remulla said authorities did not commit any lapses in the shooting noting that police officers were already stationed outside the school and that the shooter’s bag had also been inspected before the incident.
“The real issue here is the insidious use of the internet,” Remulla said, adding that young people can encounter harmful content online that may worsen depression or influence their behavior.
“Lahat tayo lumaki dito. Hindi ganyan ang source of information natin. Kung may depression sa atin dati nalulungkot lang. Now they go into depression, they read the internet, they go to the dark sides and then pumapatok sa ut sa pumapasok sa utak nila. It is a tragedy which continues to happen and we all act together. It is no one's head. It is not the fault of Congress. It is not the fault of the PNP. It is not the fault of the LGU. This is the fault of a young man who was influenced by the deep dark web,” Remulla noted.
He urged parents to regularly check their children’s phones and communicate with them about what they are experiencing.
“Tingnan ninyo. It is not a privacy issue. Anak n’yo ’yan, dapat alam ninyo kung ano ang tinitingnan nila... Nalulublob sila sa malalalim at madidilim na websites,” Remulla said.
