Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed alarm over the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School in Zamboanga City, stressing the need to examine whether the incident could be connected to online communities that promote violent behavior.
The shooting, reported on Tuesday, August 18, left two students dead and several others injured, according to initial reports. Authorities have secured the school premises and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“It is very difficult to accept that our country has to face yet another school shooting,” Hontiveros said.
The senator cautioned that it is still too early to determine whether the shooting has any connection to Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) or other online communities that authorities began examining following the Tacloban shooting.
“Sa ngayon, hindi pa natin masasabi kung may koneksyon ito sa Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) o sa iba pang online communities na sinimulan nating suriin matapos ang Tacloban shooting,” she said.
Hontiveros warned that the problem becomes more serious when violence is not only committed but also displayed, imitated and livestreamed online.
“Sa totoo lang, kung ang karahasan ay hindi lamang ginagawa kundi idinidisplay, ginagaya, at nili-livestream pa, mas malaki at mas malalim ang problemang kailangang harapin natin bilang isang lipunan,” she said.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, Hontiveros said the committee will continue its work on NVE, online grooming for serious violent activity and other threats to the safety of children during its next hearing on Thursday.
“Bilang Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, itutuloy natin ang trabaho laban sa NVE, sa online grooming for serious violent activity, at iba pang banta sa kaligtasan ng ating mga anak sa susunod nating pagdinig sa Huwebes,” Hontiveros said.
She said the hearings aim to determine what changes are needed in schools and online environments frequented by young people to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
“Pangunahing layunin ng mga hearing na ito na matukoy kung ano ang kailangan nating baguhin sa paaralan at online environments ng kabataan upang kailanman ay hindi na ito maulit muli,” she said.
Hontiveros also extended her condolences to the families who lost loved ones and expressed support for students, teachers and parents dealing with fear and trauma following the shooting.
“Hindi dapat matutong mabuhay sa ganitong takot ang ating mga pamilya. Makakaasa kayo na gagawin natin ang lahat upang mapakilos ang gobyerno at maprotektahan ang ating mga anak,” she said.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, while officials have called for stronger safeguards to protect students and school communities from violence.
In an update at DZRH's Public Service Hour, PMaj. Shiela Mae Chang, PIO of the Police Regional Office – Zamboanga, said that two fatalities were confirmed; however, they have yet to verify the number of injured individuals.
A task force was also formed for the ongoing investigation.
