18/08/2026
Tacloban in June. Zamboanga today.
Two school shootings in the Philippines in under two months. We used to call this “extremely rare” here. I don’t think we get to say that anymore.
After every tragedy, we seem to look for one villain: the parents, the video game, social media, bullying, “kids these days.”
But violence like this is rarely that simple.
DepEd has already warned about a possible “copycat phenomenon” following the Tacloban shooting, with an increase in threats and violent incidents in schools. The reality is that youth violence can involve several factors at once — bullying, grievances, social isolation, psychological distress, online influences, family dynamics, and access to weapons.
So no, it’s not just the games. It’s not just parenting. It’s not just bullying. And it’s not just guns.
It can be several things failing quietly at the same time, until nobody catches it in time.
That’s why I think the better question isn’t “Whose fault is this?”
It’s “What did we miss, and what can we change before it happens again?”
Take bullying seriously early.
Give kids in genuine distress somewhere to go and someone qualified to listen.
Parent with both warmth and boundaries. Gentle parenting is not permissive parenting.
Take threats and warning signs seriously.
Pay attention to the online spaces vulnerable kids are getting pulled into.
And for God’s sake, keep fi****ms out of children’s reach.
None of these are competing explanations. They’re all potential points of prevention.
Our schools should be places where kids feel safe without having to think about it.
That should be the bare minimum.
