PNP cracks down on Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting photos, videos online

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified its cyberpatrol operations to take down photos and videos related to the fatal shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

In a statement on Wednesday evening, PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to strengthen coordination with social media platforms in the country.

“This is an unfortunate incident that should be treated with utmost sensitivity, especially that there were minors involved in the content. Let us all be compassionate over this tragedy and it starts by showing respect and becoming responsible netizens,” Nartatez said.

“We appeal to everyone to refrain from sharing or reposting the videos and photos of the incident. These materials can cause further distress to the victims, their families and the public, and may also interfere with the ongoing investigation,” he added.

Nartatez said the PNP wants to prevent netizens, particularly minors, from accessing, reposting, and sharing videos and screenshots of the incident.

Two students were killed while at least six others were injured in the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City on Tuesday.

The shooting involved a Grade 8 student who allegedly opened fire inside the campus.

A Grade 10 student was killed inside a classroom, while the suspect later went to the fifth floor of the school building and reportedly shot himself.

“We have to dig deeper into this matter, especially that this is not the first time that this tragedy happened. Our focus is to check if there’s a pattern or identify intervention measures to prevent the repeat of this kind of incident,” Nartatez said.

The guns used in the shooting incident were linked to a Bureau of Customs (BOC) personnel, who is the father of the shooter.

According to Zamboanga City Mayor Khymer Adan Olaso earlier, the student who carried out the fatal shooting was reportedly under pressure over his grades and experiencing depression.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) earlier said the shooter was able to bring firearms into the school after arriving in his father’s car and bypassing the security check. —VAL, GMA News