Senator Risa Hontiveros will lead a Senate investigation on July 1 into the deadly shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, where three students were killed and 20 others were injured after two Grade 9 students allegedly opened fire inside the campus. The inquiry will examine whether online platforms and gaming spaces are exposing children to harmful influences and contributing to violent behavior.
As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, Hontiveros said the tragedy demands urgent action to determine whether online environments are putting young people at risk.
“Nakakadurog ng puso ang naganap na pamamaril sa San Jose National High School sa Tacloban City,” Hontiveros said as she expressed condolences to the victims, survivors, and their families.
The suspects, aged 14 and 15, are now under police custody as authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
The Senate inquiry comes as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group continues to examine the role of online influences in the case. Earlier, the CIDG sought the temporary blocking of the online game GoreBox after one of the minor suspects reportedly told investigators that he regularly played the game and claimed it influenced his actions. The development has intensified concerns about the influence of online spaces and gaming communities on young people.
“Bubuksan natin ulit ang Senate hearing tungkol sa ‘di umanong paggamit ng online platforms at gaming spaces para mag-groom, mag-manipulate, at mag-radicalize ng mga bata para gumawa ng karahasan,” she said.
Hontiveros said the probe will examine whether online platforms, schools, government agencies, and other institutions are doing enough to protect children from exploitation and violence.
“Kung ginagamit ang internet para biktimahin ang mga bata, dapat may managot. Hindi natin hihintayin na magkaroon ng sunod pang biktima bago kumilos,” she said.
Hontiveros also stressed that schools must remain safe spaces for students.
“Ang paaralan ay hindi dapat lugar ng takot at karahasan. Schools are safe spaces at dapat manatili silang ligtas na lugar upang makapag-aral ang ating mga estudyante nang malaya at walang pangamba,” she said.
The Tacloban shooting has intensified discussions on youth violence, school safety, online child protection, parental responsibility, and the influence of digital spaces on young people as lawmakers seek measures aimed at preventing similar tragedies in the future.
