MANILA — Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Tuesday urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities after police found that one of the suspects in the fatal shooting at a school in Tacloban City had posted gun-related videos on social media before the attack.
“Parents and guardians serve as the first line of defense. They must be present and vigilant in their children’s digital lives, treating their online activity with the same level of concern as their physical whereabouts,” Nartatez said in a statement.
“The warning signs are often subtle—social withdrawal, obsession with violent imagery, or the use of radicalized language—and when these red flags appear, early reporting to local police or school authorities is not just a precaution but a necessity to save lives,” he added.
The shooting occurred Monday morning at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City when two Grade 9 students, ages 14 and 15, opened fire inside the school premises.
The Philippine National Police said three students were killed and 13 others were wounded in the incident.
Police took both minors into custody.
During a press briefing on Monday, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said one of the suspects had allegedly posted videos on social media related to firearm use before the shooting.
Co did not identify which of the two suspects made the posts.
Nartatez said the PNP is coordinating with the Department of Education to strengthen school safety measures.
“We are currently working with the Department of Education to formalize these safety protocols because securing our schools is a shared, non-negotiable responsibility that requires the constant, active involvement of every adult in a child’s circle of trust,” he said.
He also called on teachers and school administrators to help identify students who may exhibit troubling behavior.
“We are also calling on our teachers and school administrators to act as our partners in this ‘digital watch,’ identifying early behavioral shifts or concerning interests in students so we can intervene long before any harm is done,” Nartatez said.