THE PHILIPPINE Institute of Cyber Security Professionals (PiCSPro) has called for closer scrutiny of possible online influences on young people following the deadly shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, the latest in a series of school shootings in the Philippines.
In a statement, PiCSPro Chairman and Founding President Angel T. Redoble said the group was mourning the students killed and expressing condolences to their families, classmates, teachers and the wider school community.
The Banga shooting on Sept. 18 left two students and the teenage gunman dead and at least eight others wounded, according to police and local government officials. Authorities are investigating how the student obtained the firearm and brought it into the school.
South Cotabato Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. has also asked the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group to investigate an online community reportedly joined by the student and determine whether it had any connection to the shooting.
PiCSPro said the incident occurred amid what it described as a series of violent incidents involving students and schools.
The group cited concerns over “online radicalization, cyber-enabled cognitive grooming, violent digital communities, and other forms of manipulation targeting vulnerable young people.”
“While investigations must establish the facts, reports of possible online influences remind us that digital spaces can shape behavior, beliefs, and relationships in ways adults may not immediately see,” PiCSPro said.
The institute urged parents, schools, technology platforms, law enforcement agencies and government to share responsibility for identifying potential warning signs and addressing harmful online networks.
It said parents should not be expected to carry the responsibility alone, while schools should improve their ability to recognize warning signs and platforms should strengthen safeguards for minors.
The statement comes after two other deadly school shootings earlier this year.
On Aug. 18, two students died in a shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City, including the student identified by authorities as the shooter. Another student was injured. Authorities said the incident was livestreamed on social media and ordered an investigation.
On June 22, three students were killed and 11 others wounded in a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City. Police said two minors were allegedly involved and subsequently took them into custody.
Authorities later said the Tacloban investigation indicated the victims were shot from a distance, while police filed charges against one of the minors.
PiCSPro said preventing similar incidents requires action before warning signs develop into violence.
“Prevention must begin before the warning signs become headlines,” the group said.
It reaffirmed its commitment to cybersecurity awareness, digital resilience, early intervention and child protection in both physical and digital environments.
