Remulla seeks social media limits for kids after school shooting

KORONADAL CITY — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Philippine National Police chief Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. visited Banga National High School on Monday, Sept. 21, three days after a shooting inside the campus left three students dead, including the suspected gunman.

Remulla and Nartatez met with school, police, and local government officials as authorities continued their investigation into the Sept. 18 shooting and reviewed security measures for students and school personnel.

Remulla conveyed President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s condolences to the families of those who died and said the incident highlighted concerns over children’s exposure to harmful online content and access to firearms.

Article continues after this advertisement

He also said authorities’ review of the suspected 16-year-old gunman’s background showed that he came from what appeared to be a stable family, was academically bright, had friends and had not been known as either a bully or a victim of bullying.

He said the boy’s parents had learned about his involvement in online groups and had taken steps to address the problem, including bringing him to a psychologist.

READ: Sara Duterte told: Don’t use school shootings for political purposes 

According to Remulla, investigators were looking into the teenager’s exposure to online content involving nihilism, Nazism, Satanism, anti-LGBT views and other forms of hate.

“The kid was taught to hate,” Remulla said, adding that authorities were examining how such online influences may have affected the teenager.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said the firearm used in the attack had been kept in a secured case, but the teenager was apparently determined to gain access to it.

Remulla said he would go to Congress on Tuesday to push for measures that would limit social media use among children 16 years old and below, strengthen regulation of both licensed and loose firearms, and allow police, with prior notice, to inspect how licensed firearms are stored in homes without having to secure a warrant.

Article continues after this advertisement

He said he would seek measures to block access in the Philippines to websites promoting nihilistic and similar extremist content, in coordination with the Department of Information and Communications Technology.

“This is not an impossible problem to solve, but it takes the whole of government and the whole of nation,” Remulla said.

He urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities and immediately seek help from schools, local governments or authorities if they notice troubling behavior or content.

Remulla also said police would continue monitoring areas outside schools during class days, while barangay watchmen would be tapped to help inspect students’ bags as part of strengthened security measures.

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

He said the Banga shooting had caused fear not only in South Cotabato but also among parents and students in many parts of the country. /mcm