LAWMAKERS on Tuesday called for stronger school-security capacity and closer scrutiny of online gaming platforms following a deadly shooting at a high school in Zamboanga City.
Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong and Manila Rep. Joel Chua expressed their condolences to the family of a student shot and killed by a fellow student who later killed himself at the junior high school campus of Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
“Nakikiramay po tayo sa pamilya ng mga naging biktima nitong karahasan na ito,” Alonto Adiong said during an online press conference.
Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso said the assailant apparently wore a body camera in an attempt to livestream the attack. Police said investigators were still establishing the circumstances and appealed to the public not to circulate unconfirmed reports, photographs or videos.
Commenting on the tragic incident, Adiong said the apparent use of a body-mounted camera made the attack especially disturbing.
“Ang manner by which it was done, mukhang may camera ata siya na attached sa kanyang katawan at nakikita kung paano niya pinaputukan iyong kanyang mga victim,” Alonto Adiong said.
He renewed a broader call for government to examine regulation of applications and gaming platforms that may expose young users to violent material or encourage harmful conduct.
“Kailangan magkaroon ng regulation pagdating doon sa mga application, sa mga game platforms,” he said.
No evidence has yet surfaced establishing that a particular game, application, or social-media platform caused the Zamboanga shooting.
Last June, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) raised concerns over the potential impact of violent video games on young people and urged Congress and relevant government agencies to study possible measures, including a potential ban.
Alonto Adiong said the incident should prompt a review of schools’ ability to prevent and respond to armed attacks.
“Ito ay wake-up call. Mukhang, dahil budget season ngayon, baka kailangan talaga nating bigyan ng capacity ang DepEd para ma-secure ang mga eskuwelahan,” he said.
He said security planning should cover not only buildings and facilities but also personnel, emergency protocols, access controls and coordination with law-enforcement agencies.
“We need probably to beef up security in our public schools,” Alonto Adiong added.
The Zamboanga attack occurred after an earlier school shooting in Tacloban City in June that killed three students and wounded others, adding urgency to calls for a nationwide assessment of campus safety and firearm access.
Chua said adults and public officials must also consider the example set by violent rhetoric and conduct that is visible to young people, particularly in social media.
“Ito talaga ang mga napapanood ng mga bata sa social media, kaya malaking influence po iyan sa mga nakikita nila,” Chua said.
He cautioned against a culture in which aggression, profanity, and intimidation are treated as admirable traits, saying children may copy behavior normalized by older people and leaders.
Adiong urged authorities to complete a thorough investigation, deliver justice to the victims, and identify practical measures to protect students.
metrosundaily
