The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday called for a deeper understanding of children’s behavior following initial findings that the fatal shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City may have been a planned attack.
DepEd Secretary Juan Edgardo Angara said it is still premature to conclude that bullying was the primary motive, noting that initial reports indicate the suspects may have been planning the attack for months.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to the area, Angara said one of the suspects had been absent for about a week due to an activity in Manila and allegedly carried out the attack upon returning.
“For now, it appears that the shooting was planned, although this is not yet definitive. They had a group chat where they discussed their mission,” Angara said.
He urged parents and teachers to better understand children’s behavior and remain alert to harmful influences, particularly online exposure.
“We have to guide children because they are exposed to a lot of violence online, while some of their parents are working in other provinces. My message to teachers is that we are the second parents of these children, and we must talk to them and understand their mindset,” he said.
Angara also raised concerns about how the suspects accessed firearms used in the attack.
“It is not normal for children to have guns. Not every household owns firearms. The question is, how did these children gain access to them?” he said.
Police Regional Office 8 said one of the firearms used was owned by the aunt of one suspect, a police officer assigned to PRO-8 who has since been relieved and placed under restrictive custody. The other weapon was traced to a security agency based in Cebu.
Authorities said the two suspects are currently under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development and are undergoing procedures as children in conflict with the law.
The PRO-8 also said the incident left three dead and injured 20 others, bringing the total number of victims to 23.
