Tacloban Shooting Incident Probes in Senate Panel

Manila News Today — The Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, led by panel chair Sen. Risa Hontiveros, has commenced its hearing on the Tacloban school shooting incident. The hearing aims to identify links between violent and extremist messaging on online gaming platforms and youth-targeted violence, as well as to ensure that safeguards are in place for child audiences.

​“All of us here are saddened, mourning, and worried along with their families. I have no doubt that immediate action is needed in this tragedy,” Sen. Hontiveros said in her opening statement.

According to Sen. Hontiveros, the tragedy will only cause more suffering if it is not examined from multiple angles. The committee noted that this disaster was caused by a cluster of systemic deficiencies. The shooting incident at a school in Tacloban City was carried out by two minors, resulting in the deaths of three younger children and injuring at least 13 others. One of the minor suspects reportedly played the online game Gorebox prior to the fatal event, while the other suspect allegedly posted content related to the shooting. ​Sen. Hontiveros was joined by the panel’s vice chair, Sen. Bong Go, as well as Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian and Sen. Raffy Tulfo. Present during the hearing was the aunt of one of the minor suspects, PSSg. Arla Ray Pacencia, whose registered firearm was allegedly used in the shooting.

​In a Facebook post yesterday, June 30, Sen. Hontiveros stated that the panel invited a broad range of stakeholders to today’s hearing. These included the parents of the victims, relatives of the minors involved in the incident, various government agencies, police, telecommunications providers, and the Game Developers Association of the Philippines.

SOURCES:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2255872/fwd-senate-panel-probes-into-tacloban-shooting

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/video-senate-hearing-tacloban-school-shooting-july-1-2026/