By Liza Jocson
ZAMBOANGA CITY — Top government officials have ruled out bullying or retribution against a teacher as possible motives behind the Aug. 17 school shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University that left two students dead.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla stressed that the incident was not an act of retaliation.
“This is not a case of a boy angry and taking retribution against another boy. This is not a case of bullying. This is not a case of a teacher maltreating a student,” he said in a press briefing.
Remulla pointed instead to misguidance and the negative influence of violent online games, noting that the Grade 9 shooter livestreamed the attack in a “first person shooter” style on a dark website.
The assailant was also an avid “Roblox” player, which Remulla said is not inherently harmful, but whose chat groups may foster radicalization.
He urged a national discussion on tighter regulation of violent online platforms, warning of their potential to desensitize youth to violence.
Cabinet Secretary Benjamin Abalos, who visited the city after the tragedy, ordered authorities to complete a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
He appealed to the public to avoid speculation, saying it only deepens the pain of grieving families and the wider community.
“Masyadong sobra ‘yung violence. Hindi ko maisip na magagawa ng isang bata,” Abalos said, describing the incident involving minors as “deeply painful.”
