Parents, teachers urged to watch students' digital use
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police urged parents and educators to monitor children's social media and gadget use after the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City, warning that online behavior may show early signs of possible violent intent.
In a statement on Tuesday, June 23, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School showed the need to pay closer attention to students' digital activity.
"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.
He also called on teachers and school administrators to help identify changes in students' behavior or troubling interests.
"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.
Online warning signs. One of the suspects allegedly posted violent and gun-related videos online before the attack, including footage of himself firing a gun, according to police investigators.
"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," Nartatez said.
Why it matters. The Tacloban shooting has raised concerns about how schools, parents and law enforcement agencies can detect warning signs before violence happens, especially when minors are active in online spaces that adults may not closely monitor.
Questions the investigators—and soon legislators—are also trying to answer are on minors' access to firearms, security and child protection systems present in schools. Police earlier said one of the guns allegedly used in the attack was registered to a police officer who is related to one of the suspects.
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