Tacloban shooting Senate probe to begin July 1 — Hontiveros

The Senate is set to launch an investigation on July 1 into the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City, Leyte, Senator Risa Hontiveros announced on Tuesday.

Hontiveros said the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, which she chairs, will lead the inquiry, focusing on the incident as well as 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 nangbi-brainwash at nagra-radicalize sa mga bata,” Hontiveros said.

(On July 1, we will reopen the hearing to determine whether online platforms play a role in spreading violent ideas. They are becoming breeding grounds for groups that brainwash and radicalize children.)

The shooting on Monday left three people dead and 15 others wounded, according to the latest report from the Police Regional Office 8 on Tuesday.

Authorities identified the suspects as students aged 14 and 15.

Hontiveros said the upcoming hearing follows the committee’s April 14 inquiry, where it was revealed that online platforms and gaming spaces were allegedly being used to groom, manipulate, and radicalize children into committing violence.

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

(We will again examine whether online platforms are doing enough to prevent young people from being exploited.)

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police said it is looking into the possibility that the violent behavior of the two children in conflict with the law (CICL) may have been influenced by the online game GoreBox.

Authorities also recovered 40 spent bullet shells, a .38-caliber revolver, and a 9mm Glock pistol from the scene.—MCG, GMA News