AdZU suspends classes after fatal school shooting

The Ateneo de Zamboanga University has suspended classes at all levels from August 18 to 19, in light of safety concerns following a fatal shooting incident that took the lives of two students. | via @John Sitchon - Rappler

Nepomuceno orders accounting, inventory of all BOC-issued firearms

Following the relief and preventive suspension of the Customs Police official who owns the firearms used by the Ateneo de Zamboanga school shooter, Bureau of Customs (BOC) Commissioner Ariel Nepomuceno has ordered deputy commissioners to immediately conduct a full investigation and gather all relevant documents, records, statements, and other evidence related to the matter. 

“In light of this incident, Commissioner Nepomuceno has ordered a comprehensive accounting and inventory of all issued firearms across the Bureau and a review of compliance with all BOC policies and issuances on gun safety, firearm custody, transport, carrying, storage, and safekeeping. Compliance reports from all concerned units have been required within twenty-four (24) hours,” the BOC’s statement read.

Read our story on the Customs-issued firearm and relief of the shooter’s father here: https://www.rappler.com/philippines/mindanao/ateneo-de-zamboanga-shooter-gun-customs-father/

Angara orders aid for AdZU students, teachers traumatized by shooting

Education Secretary Sonny Angara orders the regional office of the Department of Education in Zamboanga Peninsula to coordinate with Ateneo de Zamboanga University and concerned authorities to give psychological support for teachers, students, and families traumatized by the school shooting that claimed two lives on Tuesday, August 18.

He also calls on the public to refrain from circulating videos and photos to protect the privacy of the affected families. @here

https://www.translation.pk/study-in-uk/

Zamboanga Mayor Khymer Olaso declares Wednesday, August 19, a "Day of Mourning" in the city, a day after deadly shootings at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University junior high school campus that killed two students. He also suspends classes at all levels in public and private schools in Zamboanga City.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara is in Zamboanga City and meets with Ateneo de Zamboanga University president Father Guillrey Anthony Andal and local officials for a situation briefing a day after the deadly campus shooting. Photos from the Department of Education

The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality joint with the Committees on Science and Technology and Basic Education begins their session on Thursday, August 20, where they're set to tackle the issue on the Ateneo de Zamboanga University shooting and findings from the previous school shooting in Tacloban City.

Screenshot from Senate of the Philippines' Livestream

[Trigger warning: Mention of Suicide]

Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) Director PCol. Fidel Fortaleza says during the joint-committee session that the child in conflict with the law (CICL) did not pass through the security checkpoint of the Ateneo de Zamboanga University (AdZU) Tumaga Campus.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, citing police reports, highlighted that the CICL entered the campus while riding his father's private vehicle.

Nartatez clarified that the CICL went to the fifth floor where the latter ended his life, contrary to previously-shared reports that stated the child went to the third floor before shooting himself dead.

Screenshot from Senate of the Philippines' Livestream

Jonvic Remulla shoots from the hip again - claiming the police not certain but they have 'great confidence' that Roblox influenced the Zamboanga shooter. 😷 https://www.rappler.com/technology/gaming/roblox-grooming-safeguards-philippines-youth-online-safety/

CYBERWARRANTS, ISSUE OF JURISDICTION

CICC Executive Director Aboy Paraiso says they’re currently waiting for the cyberwarrant in order to probe the gadgets used by the CICL (child in conflict with the law) involved in the Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting. 

Paraiso said to manage expectations as to the timeline. The issuance of cyberwarrants takes time as there is currently a “gap” as to the judges’ appreciation of evidence when it comes to these. Senator Risa Hontiveros encouraged the Supreme Court to quicken its issuance. 

Paraiso also highlighted the issue of jurisdiction over platforms based in other countries, saying it takes about two months for information requested to come back.

He added that the CICC made a request to Meta to take down the livestreamed video of the shooting. Meta took it down 9 minutes after the request. The agency also blocked another website that also livestreamed the video.

Hontiveros brought up the issue of the contagion effect that may lead to copycat crimes, pertaining to the livestreamed video. Paraiso said, “The solution lies in acquiring jurisdiction over the platforms. Ngayon naka rely lang tayo sa community standards nila [in order to request for a takedown].”  

Could Facebook's AI system have detected the livestreamed video?

Paraiso said, “Hit or miss yung AI detection systems [ng Facebook]. Sa school shooting, since it’s a video, lalo na there’s no particular parameter, there’s no [text] description na mahahagip nung AI. Hindi rin kakayanin ng AI in real time na mag-analyze ng video… hindi niya malalaman na school shooting video siya in real time,” Paraiso said.

What has police done so far on gun safekeeping issues?

Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) chief Maria Sheila Portento says that cases have been filed against the police personnel who owned the weapon used in the June 22 Tacloban School Shooting incident.

Portento adds that they have issued reminders to police to ensure proper gun safekeeping and address gaps that put children at risk

Hontiveros admonishes Meta

Hontiveros said there are still videos of the Zamboanga shooting that are still on Facebook. Paraiso encouraged everyone to continue reporting such instances. The Senator admonished Meta: "Siguro hindi dapat CICC ang magligpit ng kalat ng Meta... Meta itself has to do better. Ang laki ng pakinabang nila sa platform na yan... Linisin niyo ang kalat niyo, ang basura niyo sa inyong powerful platform, linisin niyo. Huwag niyo iwan lahat sa CICC."

74 cases linked to NVE, 42 minors rescued so far by the PNP-ACG

The PNP-ACG’s Richmond L. Tadina said they have handled 74 cases linked to NVE so far, having rescued 42 minors. Hontiveros was visibly shocked after seeing the number. “It’s terrible proof that this is a real problem,” Hontiveros said. 

Tadina said they haven’t identified local groomers, and said this is a borderless problem. Leads for these cases came from school and parents, as well as the ACG’s coordination with the FBI, to which Meta submits reports. 

CICC Executive Director Aboy Paraiso added “Parating may foreign nexus. What we are trying to prevent are [local] copycats and the influence of NVEs. The ideas [of these groups] are usually foreign to us — racism, white supremacy… Ang mga kabataan natin pag na-e-expose sa ganyan, nahuhumaling or nagiging copycat. ‘Yan ‘yung gusto natin i-prevent sa Pilipinas.”

Out of the 42 rescued, 30 are 15 years old and below.

Along with addressing concerns on mental health, parental responsibilities, gun restrictions, and enhanced security protocols, Senator Risa Hontiveros stressed the importance of regulating digital spaces where NVE spreads,

"Seryoso po natin itutulak ang Child Online Safety and Protection Act. Sa panukalang ito, paparusahan ang pag-iimpluwensya sa mga bata na gumawa ng karahasan, tataasan ang responsibilidad ng mga internet intermediaries, at papalakasin ang kapasidad ng law enforcement para mabilis na magresponde sa mga banta… Ang isang lipunan kung saan kailangan bunuin ng bata ang takot na mabaril para lang pumasok sa school ay hindi isang lipunan na dapat nating taggapin," Hontiveros said.

Ateneo de Zamboanga grade school classes still suspended

Classes at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Grade School remain suspended until August 28 as the school gives students, families and personnel time to recover from recent events.

AdZU also announces that students would engage in non-academic alternative learning activities focused on emotional well-being and reconnection from September 1 to 4, while psychological first aid and other support services remain available.

PHILIPPINE PEDIATRIC SOCIETY (PPS) STATEMENT ON SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN IN THE CONDUCT OF ACTIVE ATTACK DRILLS IN SCHOOLS

PPS recognizes the Department of Education’s responsibility to promote school safety and preparedness. Given the limited and mixed evidence on the effectiveness and potential psychological effects of these drills, the Society respectfully recommends that the August 25 simulation not proceed as currently designed, pending urgent multidisciplinary technical review.

Future student drills should be evidence-informed, developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and carefully evaluated. Preparedness and children’s psychological safety must be advanced together.

Full statement below.

DepEd postpones nationwide active shooter drills set on August 25

The Department of Education has postponed the nationwide active shooter drills in public and private schools set on Tuesday, August 25, following recommendations from experts to defer the conduct of the activity.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara made the announcement in a radio interview with DZMM on Monday, August 24.

The DepEd then sent reporters its official advisory to postpone the nationwide drills.

While the advisory mentioned the weather as its basis to cancel the scheduled drills, the DepEd said the additional time allows them to align the activity with recommendations also from “disaster preparedness, child protection, and psychosocial support experts, particularly in ensuring that preparedness measures safeguard both the physical and psychological well-being of learners.” @here

Here’s a new post from the DepEd’s Facebook page:

DepEd wants permanent line-item for school safety budget

The Department of Education (DepEd) said it is coordinating with legislators for a permanent and dedicated line-item allocation for school safety in the 2027 national budget.

The DepEd said the proposal will explicitly target physical security assets and support roles, including security guards, school counselor associates, CCTV systems, perimeter fences, and walk-through and handheld metal detectors.

The House appropriations committee is set to deliberate the DepEd’s proposed P976-billion budget for 2027 on September 7. @here