THE National Police (PNP) Chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., on Wednesday ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG) to beef up its coordination with the management of social media platforms in taking down all the photos and videos in relation to the shooting incident at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University on August 18.
The incident was live-streamed by the minor that carried out the gun attack and Nartatez wants to ensure that netizens, particularly minors, will no longer have access and capability to re-post and share any video and screenshots in connection with the incident.
‘This is an unfortunate incident that should be treated with utmost sensitivity, especially that there were minors involved in the content. Let us all be compassionate over this tragedy and it starts by showing respect and becoming responsible netizens,’ the PNP chief said.
‘We appeal to everyone to refrain from sharing or reposting the videos and photos of the incident. These materials can cause further distress to the victims, their families and the public, and may also interfere with the ongoing investigation,’ he added.
Nartatez said the PNP-ACG and other concerned units were already directed to monitor and report the spread of sensitive videos online.
Following the incident on Tuesday morning, police teams were sent to the Ateneo de Zamboanga University to respond and conduct an investigation to come up with a clear picture of what happened.
One of the key aspects of the investigation, according to Nartatez, was how the minor was able to smuggle two firearms inside the school.
But he said the investigation will go beyond the actual gun attack, as he stressed that a thorough investigation must be carried out to determine all the circumstances that prompted the minor to carry out the attack.
‘We have to dig deeper into this matter, especially that this is not the first time that this tragedy happened. Our focus is to check if there’s a pattern or identify intervention measures to prevent the repeat of this kind of incident,’ the PNP chief stressed.
Another aspect of the investigation is on the issue of responsible gun ownership as Nartatez pointed out the need to add more teeth in running after those whose firearms became easily accessible to minors.
The PNP has been closely working with the Department of Education in coming up with measures that will ensure the safety of all schools and other learning spaces across the country.