Suspects planned the school shooting: Extremism eyed

CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is looking into possibility that the recent school shooting in Tacloban City that left three students dead and 20 others injured may be part of a broader pattern of violent extremism rather than an isolated case of bullying.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said authorities are probing beyond conventional explanations as they examine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

"To downplay the discourse to just a simple bullying incident would be to downplay the whole issue entirely," Martinez said.

"It's a form of extremism, if it's specifically NVE, nihilistic violent extremism," he added.

Nihilistic violent extremism (NVE) is characterized by the glorification or perpetration of extreme violence without a coherent or traditional ideological framework.

Martinez noted that children are highly impressionable and can be easily influenced or radicalized by content they encounter online. He cited the Columbine High School shooting in the United States as an example of how such radicalization can manifest.

"You want to look after the welfare of children, see what the best interest may be of these children. So, kailangan pati yung mga ganung patterns of behavior, tingnan natin," Martinez said.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-8 Director Jason Capoy confirmed that one of the minor suspects had been playing "GoreBox," a game centered on destruction and violence.

In response, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center has imposed a temporary ban on the mobile game.

Investigators have also uncovered indications that the attack at San Jose National High School on Monday was planned weeks in advance. A screenshot of an alleged conversation between the two suspects suggested they had been discussing the attack even before May 1.

Capoy said the suspects were reportedly targeting a specific individual. However, when they failed to locate their intended target, they allegedly began shooting indiscriminately, resulting in the deaths of three students and injuries to 20 others.

Police data showed that the fatalities included two female students and one male student. Of the 20 injured victims, 15 sustained gunshot wounds—six females and nine males—while five others, composed of three females and two males, were injured during the panic and commotion that followed the shooting. All victims remain under treatment in various hospitals.

As investigators continue to establish the motive behind the attack, attention has also turned to the firearms used by the suspects.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said a .38-caliber revolver recovered from the 15-year-old suspect was registered to a Cebu City-based security agency, while a 9mm Glock pistol was issued to a police officer assigned to PRO-8 who is the aunt of the 14-year-old suspect.

The officer, a lawyer with the rank of Police Staff Sergeant, is now under investigation and may face administrative charges, including possible dismissal from the service, for gross negligence.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) said it is prepared to assist in the investigation, particularly in locating and coordinating with the security agency linked to the registered firearm.

The suspects remain under the custody of social welfare authorities while evidence gathering and interviews continue.

Are the minor suspects liable?

Martinez explained that Republic Act 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, provides mechanisms for dealing with offenders aged 18 and below.

Under the law, children below 15 years old are exempt from criminal liability and cannot be criminally prosecuted. Instead, they may be placed under intervention programs, including custody at a Bahay Pag-asa facility or community-based intervention programs administered by local government units and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

For minors aged 15 to 18, authorities must first determine whether they acted with discernment.

"The discernment meaning alam ba niya ginagawa niya ay mali? Paano po natin aalamin kung alam niya ang ginagawa niya ay mali? You'll have to look at the details of the incident. Look at the evidence which were submitted," Martinez said.

DepEd tightens school security measures

In the wake of the tragedy, the Department of Education (DepEd) has ordered tighter security measures in schools, including increased police visibility, enhanced CCTV monitoring, no-contact bag inspections, and stronger anti-bullying programs.

The incident has likewise prompted proactive measures from the DepEd Mandaue City Division, which has issued reminders to all school principals to strengthen campus safety protocols.

In an interview on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, DepEd Mandaue Legal Officer Atty. Marinel D. Oro said the division has reiterated DepEd Order No. 6, Series of 2026, to ensure the safety of students and maintain a conducive learning environment.

"Sa atoa, sa DepEd Mandaue, atoang gi reiterate and gi remind atong mga school principals regarding sa atong DepEd no. 6 series of 2026 which refers to the guidelines sa atong pag ensure sa safety and motivating learning environment sa atong mga eskwelahan," said Oro.

The order serves as a framework for maintaining a safe and motivating learning environment across schools.

Oro said schools have also been encouraged to conduct bag inspections through designated security personnel who will perform non-contact initial inspections of students, employees, parents, and visitors entering school premises.

She added that security guards are expected to carry functioning metal detectors and should only conduct body searches when there is reasonable suspicion.

"So kana atoang gi remind lang balik atong mga school principals nga naa ni siya nga DepEd order para ma ensure nila nga ma implement gyud nato siya within the school," said Oro.

Apart from the reminder, the division also issued a separate memorandum detailing specific school safety protocols.

Oro said the DepEd Mandaue Division coordinated with the city government on Tuesday to strengthen security arrangements through closer collaboration with local police and barangay authorities.

She noted that police personnel have already been deployed to schools since the opening of classes but emphasized the need for stronger coordination.

"Naa nana siya but we hope to continue the coordination and collaboration with our city police para na maintain gyud nato ang safety and security sa atong mga schools," said Oro.

The division also requires at least one security guard to be on duty during school operations.

"Atong gi ensure karon ang ni entry kaila ta unsa ilang tuyo and ma inspect nga wala silay gidala nga nga prohibited items," said Oro.

She reiterated that schools are considered zones of peace and that bringing contraband, including firearms, into school premises remains strictly prohibited.

“Atong gyud ng paningkamotan nga once musulod ang atong mga estudyante atong mga eskwelahan, they feel safe nit prevented from sa ilahang pag eskwela," said Oro. — Kristin de Dios/FPL (FREEMAN)