By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Malacañang on Tuesday rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s assertion that the government failed to detect warning signs before the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City, saying the tragedy involved troubled students rather than individuals linked to terrorism or organized threats.
The Palace response came after Duterte called the incident a “wake-up call” for the administration, urging stronger intelligence gathering and early threat detection measures to prevent similar attacks.
In her statement, the vice president said the loss of young lives underscored the need for authorities to identify risks before violence erupts.
But Palace Press Officer Claire Castro disagreed with the suggestion that intelligence failures were to blame.
“These were not terrorists,” Castro said during a press briefing. “They were students who, based on initial findings, may have been exposed to violent online content.”
Authorities have identified the two suspects as minors, aged 15 and 14, who are now classified as children in conflict with the law.
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), investigators recovered two firearms allegedly used in the attack—a .38-caliber revolver and a Glock 17 pistol.
Police said at least 34 rounds were fired during the shooting, which left three people dead and 20 others injured. Fifteen victims sustained gunshot wounds, while five suffered injuries during the chaos that followed.
Initial findings indicate that the suspects may have been influenced by violent online videos and digital communities promoting aggressive behavior.
PNP spokesperson Allan Rae Co said investigators are examining several online groups that may have played a role in encouraging the attack.
Authorities, however, stressed that they are still investigating other possible motives, including reports of bullying, and have yet to reach a final conclusion.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Malacañang disclosed that officials are studying measures to limit minors’ access to violent online material.
Among the proposals being discussed are tighter controls on internet content for children and the possible restriction of gaming applications that feature extreme violence.
Castro said the issue has gained urgency following reports that the suspects spent considerable time consuming violent online content.
The Palace emphasized that preventing youth violence requires a collective effort involving not only government agencies but also parents, schools, and communities.
Castro urged families and educators to take an active role in guiding young people and monitoring their online activities, especially amid the growing influence of social media and digital platforms.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to determine the factors that led to one of the deadliest school-related shooting incidents in recent Philippine history while exploring measures to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.
ia/xf
