Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said he will meet with Congress on Tuesday to push for measures addressing violence involving children and schools following the recent shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.
During a DILG press briefing on Monday, Remulla outlined several measures he intends to raise with lawmakers, including limiting social media use among children aged 16 and below, regulating firearms, and strengthening measures against access to harmful online content.
“This is a tragedy that has gone on for too long. And tomorrow, I will go to Congress to ask for the following things,” Remulla said.
Among the proposals he identified are tighter restrictions on social media use by children 16 and below, regulation of both legally owned and unlicensed firearms, and allowing the Philippine National Police to inspect the safekeeping of licensed firearms in homes with due notice.
Remulla also called for stronger measures to block access to what he described as “nihilistic sites,” saying the issue requires cooperation between the government, families and communities.
“This is not an impossible problem to solve, but it takes the whole of government and the whole of nation. Hindi lang po ang gobyerno ang solusyon dito, kasama po ang magulang,” he said.
He urged parents to monitor their children’s phones and online activities and immediately seek assistance from local authorities, school officials or emergency services if they encounter concerning material or behavior.
Remulla also acknowledged the benefits of the internet but warned of the risks associated with unrestricted access to harmful content.
“Internet has gone, the access to the internet has gone too far. Internet is a force of good. I totally believe in it. Lahat tayo. It has advanced humanity and it has advanced the country in such ways we could never imagine. But it has gone too far,” he said.
“This is the dark side of progress. This is the dark side of unlimited access to information. And it's time that we act as a country. It is time that we act as a community,” he added.
Remulla said the impact of the Banga shooting extends beyond those directly involved, stressing that students who witnessed the incident, their classmates and residents of South Cotabato are also affected.
“Everyone is a victim here. Yung walong natamaan, biktima. Lahat ng mga classmates sila na nakakita ng insidente, biktima. Ang buong Coronadal, ang buong South Cotabato, biktima,” Remulla said.
He added that the Philippine National Police would continue monitoring areas outside schools, while barangay tanods would be allowed to assist in inspecting students’ bags.
Remulla said the PNP and Congress would discuss additional measures on Tuesday to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
“Three incidents is three incidents too much. And we have to come together to put an end to it,” he said.
