MANILA, Philippines — The student who opened fire at Banga National High School in South Cotabato had been heavily involved in internet and social media activities involving violent content and left notes about his depression and plans to carry out the shooting, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Saturday.
Remulla said investigators found the notes and were examining the suspect's cellphone and other electronic devices to determine what led to the attack.
“He left a note saying that ... he was planning to do it,” Remulla said during a media briefing. “But yung victims, hindi niya planado kung sinong babarilin niya. It was just random.”
Three people, including two Grade 9 students and the shooter, were killed in the incident, while eight others were injured. Two of the injured remained in serious condition while six were already in stable condition, Remulla said.
The shooting occurred at about 1:15 p.m. Friday inside a classroom at Banga National High School in Barangay Benitez, Banga, South Cotabato.
Remulla said the investigation showed the suspect had been engaged in extensive internet and social media activity involving violent material. He said authorities were also looking into the “deep dark web” sites and online communities accessed by the student.
Remulla said the government would coordinate with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and Congress on measures to protect children from harmful online content and possible restrictions on minors' access to social media.
He said authorities had also met with game developers to discuss how children could move from gaming platforms to other online platforms where conversations take place beyond the games themselves.
Remulla said the suspect's parents discovered his notes in April and had attempted to address the situation.
He called for greater attention to warning signs of depression among children and better access to appropriate mental health care.
“The depression is real,” Remulla said.
The secretary said the incident should not immediately be blamed on the parents, school, police or local government, but should instead prompt a coordinated response to prevent similar incidents.
At the same time, Remulla raised concerns about how the suspect obtained the firearm used in the shooting.
He said the gun was legally owned by the suspect's father, a Department of Education official who had three licensed firearms, but was not adequately secured.
Remulla said the latest shooting was the third such incident in which a legally owned firearm was used after being insufficiently secured.
He said he would work with the Department of Justice on a possible petition before the Supreme Court seeking authority for the Philippine National Police to inspect the homes of licensed firearm owners to ensure that their guns are properly stored.
Under existing restrictions, Remulla said, police cannot simply inspect the premises of legal gun owners without a warrant.
He also called on Congress to strengthen the liability of firearm owners when their guns are accessed or used by unauthorized persons.
“I have no quarrel with gun owners. I am a gun owner,” Remulla said. “But responsibility has to stop with the gun owner.”
The government is also considering additional security measures in schools, including the installation of metal detectors.
Remulla said police were already stationed outside the school and bags were inspected before the shooting, but the suspect was able to conceal the firearm.
He said metal detectors could provide an additional layer of security without requiring intrusive physical searches of students.
Remulla said the government would also review existing measures with the DILG, PNP, schools, local governments and parents.
