SENATE TO PROBE TACLOBAN SCHOOL SHOOTING

Senator Risa Hontiveros has officially announced that the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality will open an investigation on July 1, 2026 into the fatal school shooting in Tacloban and the growing threat of online radicalization among children.

“Sa July 1, muli nating bubuksan ang pagdinig para alamin kung may papel ang mga online platforms sa pagkalat ng mararahas na ideya. Nagiging pugad ng mga grupong nambe-brainwash at nagra-radicalize sa mga bata,” Hontiveros said.

The hearing follows the committee’s April 14, 2026 investigation, in which it was revealed that online platforms and gaming spaces are allegedly being used to groom, manipulate, and radicalize children into violence.

“Titingnan natin ulit kung may sapat bang ginagawa ang lahat ng online platforms para hindi mapagsamantalahan ang mga kabataan,” Hontiveros said.  

During the April 14 hearing, the committee also tackled how online platforms have been used not only for violent radicalization, but also for online sexual abuse, exploitation, grooming, and extortion of children. 

“Kung ginagamit ang internet para biktimahin ang mga bata, dapat may managot. Hindi pwedeng kita lang lagi ang iniisip ng Big Tech habang ang ating mga pamilya at paaralan ay nababalot ng trahedya,” the lady senator said.

“Hindi natin hihintayin na magkaroon ng sunod pang biktima bago kumilos. Dapat makapasok ang bawat bata sa paaralan nang ligtas at makauwi rin nang ligtas sa kanilang pamilya,” she added.