MANILA (September 20) — A school shooting that killed three students and injured eight others has prompted Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to call for tighter controls on children’s access to social media, while investigators examine the shooter’s online activity, firearm access and circumstances before the attack.
Remulla said Saturday he would meet with officials of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and lawmakers to discuss possible legislation limiting children’s access to social media, citing Australia’s measures as a possible model.
The shooting occurred Friday afternoon at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.
Remulla clarified that three children were confirmed dead, including the alleged shooter, while eight others were injured.
At a press briefing at Camp Crame, Remulla said investigators found that the shooter had been heavily engaged in what he described as the “deep dark web” and online activities involving violent content.
He said investigators also found notes on the boy’s phone referring to depression and that the boy’s parents had discovered the problem in April 2026.
Remulla said he would work with DICT and Congress on measures to restrict children’s access to inappropriate websites and social-media platforms.
He cited concerns over children being exposed to online communities and content involving violence, nihilism and criminal activity.
But police said the investigation is still examining what happened before the shooting and what factors may have contributed to the attack.
Philippine National Police chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators were examining the boy’s phone, notes, gadgets and other personal effects in coordination with his parents.
“For one thing, hindi natin mabasa ang pag-iisip ng isang tao but we can investigate or look into the actions before these incidents,” Nartatez said.
Nartatez said police records showed the boy had been heavily engaged in social media and internet activities involving violent content.
The investigation is also looking into how the shooter obtained the firearm used in the attack.
Remulla said the gun belonged to the boy’s father, whom he identified as a Department of Education disaster risk mitigation officer.
The father reportedly had three licensed firearms, which Remulla said were not adequately secured and were accessible to the child.
“Again for the third time, an illegal gun was used that was not secured,” Remulla said.
The secretary also stressed that mental-health concerns among children should not be ignored.
He said parents, barangays, the DILG, DepEd and other agencies need to work together to recognize warning signs and ensure children have access to appropriate mental-health services.
“Depression among kids is real,” Remulla said, calling for stronger recognition of warning signs and access to proper psychiatric care.
He also urged parents to pay closer attention to what their children are viewing and doing online.
“Tingnan ninyo. It is not a privacy issue. Anak n’yo ’yan,” Remulla said, urging parents to monitor the websites and online communities their children access.
Remulla said the government response should not focus solely on the internet, but should also involve schools, families and local communities.
He said he would submit a report to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday and work with the Department of Education to formulate additional guidelines aimed at preventing similar incidents in schools.
Malacañang separately called for stronger efforts to protect students following the shooting.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said school shootings should never become an accepted part of children’s lives, stressing that students have the right to study without fear and parents have the right to send their children to school knowing they will return home safely.
“Hindi natin maaaring tanggapin na maging bahagi na lamang ng buhay ng ating mga anak ang mga pamamaril sa paaralan,” Marcos said.
The government’s response now spans several concerns raised by the incident: firearm security, school safety, child protection, mental-health support, parental supervision and children’s exposure to harmful online content.
Any proposed restrictions on children’s social-media use will also have to address questions involving children’s rights, privacy, access to information and the responsibility of online platforms.
For police investigators, however, the immediate task remains establishing the sequence of events and circumstances that led to the shooting.
Nartatez said investigators would continue examining the shooter’s digital devices and other personal effects as part of the probe.
