Sen. Risa Hontiveros, nagbabala sa 'mas malalim na problema' matapos ang panibagong school shooting

• Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed grief following the latest school shooting in Zamboanga City
• The incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga involved a student armed with two firearms
• Hontiveros said it remains unclear whether the shooting is connected to Nihilistic Violent Extremism or online communities
• She vowed to continue Senate hearings on online gróoming, NVE, and threats affecting young people

Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed deep sadness and concern following the latest school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City on August 18, 2026, as authorities continued investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Hontiveros shared her statement on Facebook, describing the incident as another painful school shooting that the country has been forced to confront. Her remarks came as authorities reported that a junior high school student brought two firearms onto the campus and opened fire.

Initial reports from authorities identified two fatalities, including the student who carried out the attack. Reuters reported that the suspect brought a pistol and a rifle to the school and fatally shot another student before taking his own life. The situation was later placed under control.

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Hontiveros, however, emphasized that it is too early to determine whether the incident has any connection to Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) or online communities that authorities have been examining following the earlier Tacloban school shooting.

“Napakahirap tanggapin na may isa na namang school shooting na kailangang harapin ang ating bansa.”

She noted that the concern becomes even more serious when acts of violence are not only committed but also displayed, copied, or livestreamed online.

“Sa totoo lang, kung ang karahasan ay hindi lamang ginagawa kundi idinidisplay, ginagaya, at nili-livestream pa, mas malaki at mas malalim ang problemang kailangang harapin natin bilang isang lipunan.”

Hontiveros said the Senate will continue examining the issue during its upcoming hearing. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, she said the committee would continue its work concerning NVE, online gróoming for serious violent activity, and other threats to children's safety.

The senator said the hearings aim to identify changes needed in schools and online environments to help prevent similar incidents from happening again.

Her statement also comes after the June school shooting in Tacloban, which killed three students and injured others. Hontiveros has previously led Senate discussions examining possible online radicalization and gróoming linked to violent activity among young people.

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“Lubos akong nakikiramay sa mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, at sa mga estudyante, guro, at magulang na kailangang harapin ngayon ang takot at trauma ng nangyari.”

Hontiveros ended her statement by assuring the public that she would push for government action to strengthen protections for children and prevent families from having to live with the fear of violence in schools.

“Hindi dapat matutong mabuhay sa ganitong takot ang ating mga pamilya. Makakaasa kayo na gagawin natin ang lahat upang mapakilos ang gobyerno at maprotektahan ang ating mga anak.”

In another report, Senator Bam Aquino voiced his sorrow over the violence that took place in Zamboanga and reflected on the devastating effects such incidents can have on families and the wider community. Speaking as a parent, Aquino said it was heartbreaking to see a place that should represent hope and learning instead become connected with fear. He also expressed his commitment to helping prevent another incident of this nature from occurring in the future.

Meanwhile, Senator Win Gatchalian strongly denounced the reported shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, where initial reports indicated that two students died and several others sustained injuries. He urged authorities to conduct a detailed investigation, particularly into how two firearms were reportedly involved in the incident. Gatchalian also called for immediate psychosocial assistance for students, teachers, and school personnel dealing with the emotional impact of the tragedy.

Source: KAMI.com.gh