Tacloban school shooting planned weeks in advance; PNP urges closer monitoring of minors online

Police investigating the deadly shooting at a high school in Tacloban City said the attack had been planned weeks before it was carried out, as the Philippine National Police (PNP) called on parents, teachers and school officials to closely monitor the online activities of minors to help prevent similar incidents.

The June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School left three students dead and 20 others injured after two Grade 9 students, aged 14 and 15, allegedly opened fire inside the school premises.

According to the Police Regional Office in Eastern Visayas (PRO 8), evidence gathered during the investigation indicates that the attack was not spontaneous.

“Based on our information, as early as May 1, if I’m not mistaken. They’ve been planning this since April or May,” PRO 8 Director Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy told reporters in a phone interview.

Capoy also addressed reports circulating on social media claiming that the suspects coordinated how to smuggle firearms into the school and may have been familiar with the provisions of Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

While he neither confirmed nor denied the allegations, Capoy expressed concern over information suggesting that the minors may have extensively studied legal provisions related to juvenile offenders.

“It’s worrisome because it seems they know a lot. They’ve studied it. They’ve read the law,” Capoy added.

As authorities continue to piece together the events leading up to the shooting, investigators are examining possible motives and contributing factors, including allegations of bullying and other social circumstances that may have influenced the suspects.

Police are also reviewing the digital activities of one of the minors after discovering social media posts that allegedly contained gun-related and violent content before the attack.

Among the materials being examined are videos showing the firing of a firearm, which authorities believe could provide insight into the suspect’s intentions and behavior prior to the incident.

The findings have prompted the PNP leadership to appeal for greater vigilance among parents, educators and communities in monitoring children’s online behavior.

PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the Tacloban tragedy highlights the growing importance of paying attention to the digital lives of young people, where warning signs of potential violence may emerge before they become evident in person.

“Parents and guardians serve as the first line of defense,” the top cop said.

Nartatez emphasized that parents should be as attentive to their children’s activities on social media and other online platforms as they are to their physical whereabouts.

He said troubling behavioral patterns can sometimes manifest through online interactions, posts and content consumption, providing opportunities for early intervention.

The PNP chief likewise urged teachers and school administrators to remain alert to significant changes in student behavior and to work closely with families and law enforcement authorities when concerns arise.

“We are also calling on our teachers and school administrators to act as our partners in this digital watch,” he said.

According to Nartatez, educators are often in a position to observe warning signs that may otherwise go unnoticed, making schools an important part of efforts to prevent violence.

Authorities noted that indicators of concern may include social isolation, an unusual fascination with violent imagery, aggressive online language, or the sharing of content that glorifies violence.

The police chief stressed that such behaviors should not be dismissed and that reporting concerns to appropriate authorities could help avert future tragedies.

“Securing our schools is a shared responsibility,” he said.

In response to the incident, the PNP said it is coordinating with the Department of Education (DepEd) to strengthen school safety measures and develop more formal preventive protocols for educational institutions nationwide.

The investigation into the Tacloban shooting remains ongoing as authorities continue gathering evidence and assessing the circumstances that led to one of the deadliest school-related attacks in recent years.

Police said the case underscores the need for stronger cooperation among families, schools, law enforcement agencies and communities in identifying warning signs and protecting students from violence.