DILG chief says 18-year-old suspect is from South Cotabato and remains at large
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (October 1) — AUTHORITIES have identified an 18-year-old South Cotabato man as the alleged “groomer” of the 14-year-old student who opened fire at Banga National High School, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday.
The September 18 attack left two students dead and eight others wounded; the student gunman also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, bringing the total number of fatalities to three.
Remulla said police are now pursuing the alleged groomer, who remains in South Cotabato but has left his home.
The identification adds a new lead to an investigation examining whether the student was influenced online before the shooting. Remulla earlier said investigators found evidence of the student’s activity on the deep and dark web and were examining possible online influences.
Authorities have yet to publicly detail the alleged groomer’s relationship with the student, how they communicated or what specific acts investigators believe constituted grooming.
The investigation is also examining how the minor obtained the firearm used in the attack. Remulla said the gun belonged to the student’s father and had been kept in a home safe.
