Over social media threats: Capitol sends 3 minors to DSWD rehab program

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Government has opted to place three minors involved in separate school threat and violence incidents under intervention and counseling instead of immediately pursuing punitive measures, with Governor Pamela Baricuatro saying rehabilitation and parental guidance offer the best chance of preventing similar incidents.

Baricuatro met with the three minors and their parents in a closed-door dialogue on Monday, July 13, where she sought to understand what prompted their actions rather than simply reprimand them.

The meeting was convened through the Provincial Peace and Order Council following separate incidents in Talisay City and Carcar City that sparked public concern and prompted police intervention.

The governor reminded the minors that while the provincial government has a duty to uphold the law, it also believes in giving young people an opportunity to learn from their mistakes.

"We cannot take this sitting down," Baricuatro told the minors during the meeting.

She, however, assured them that the dialogue was not meant to shame or scold them.

"However, wala mo gipaari aron kasab-an. Gusto ko mahibawo nganong nabuhat to ninyo ug unsay akong matabang aron dili nani mausab," she said.

Accompanied by their parents, the minors apologized for the fear and inconvenience their actions caused the public, law enforcement authorities and others affected by the incidents.

Two of the minors, aged 12 and 13 and both residents of Talisay City, were identified by police as the individuals behind separate online threats posted on Facebook pages associated with two schools in the city.

On July 6, classes at Talisay City Elementary School and Talisay City National High School were suspended as a precaution after a Facebook account using the name "Zane Bacalso" posted a threat about bringing a gun to school and included condolence messages directed at students.

The post was later deleted, while authorities secured the schools and launched an investigation.

The third minor, a 17-year-old from Carcar City, was brought to the police for questioning after he allegedly confronted fellow students outside a school while carrying a bladed weapon.

During the dialogue, the two minors from Talisay admitted they copied what they had seen on social media following reports about the deadly school shooting in Tacloban City.

One of them admitted posting the threat because he was unprepared for an upcoming examination and believed classes would be suspended if the post caused alarm.

"Gisunod ra nako akong nakita sa social media," the minor admitted.

The 17-year-old from Carcar, meanwhile, told the governor he brought the bladed weapon after repeatedly experiencing bullying from fellow students. He recounted that while buying sacks, one student allegedly kicked him while another punched him.

Wanting to retaliate, he later confronted the students while carrying the weapon before barangay tanods intervened and turned him over to the police for questioning.

The parents of the three minors acknowledged that work often prevented them from closely monitoring their children's activities, both online and offline.

Baricuatro reminded parents that providing for their children's needs should go hand in hand with closely supervising their behavior, particularly their use of social media.

Addressing the minors, the governor also warned them against believing everything they encounter online, saying social media has become a source of misinformation and content that promotes violence.

"Mga Dodong, dili tanang makita ninyo sa social media tinuod. Daghan kaayong misinformation diha, ug ako mismo biktima ana," she said.

She further urged them not to jeopardize their future because of harmful online influence.

"Ayaw gub-a ang inyong future tungod anang social media kay daghang bakak diha," Baricuatro added.

Following the dialogue, the provincial government decided to place the three minors under an intervention program of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. — (FREEMAN)