Stop spreading videos of Tacloban, Cavite school violence - PNP

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday appealed to the public to refrain from spreading videos of the recent violent incidents at schools in Tacloban City and Cavite.

“The reckless circulation of graphic videos depicting these school tragedies is not just a digital nuisance, it is a profound act of cruelty that re-victimizes survivors and forces grieving families to relive their worst nightmares repeatedly,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

“We urge the public, especially content creators and social media users, to stop the cycle of trauma by deleting and refusing to share these videos, as your desire for online engagement should never come at the cost of human dignity or the sanctity of an ongoing police investigation,” he added.

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READ: PNP urges calm amid response measures after Tacloban school shooting

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Last June 16, seven Grade 5 students were wounded when a Grade 8 student stabbed them at a school in General Trias City in Cavite.

Three days later, a senior high school student wounded a schoolmate in Cavite City.

Then, last June 22, two students, aged 14 and 15, opened fire inside the San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, killing three fellow students and wounding several others.

In response to videos of the incidents circulating online, Nartatez said he ordered the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to coordinate with social media platforms for the possible removal or restriction of the content.

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Nartatez added that police units have been asked to coordinate with school officials, parents and student leaders for dialogues on responsible social media use.

“Children caught in these incidents, especially the victims, deserve protection and support. They should not be subjected to public judgment, online harassment, or unnecessary exposure at a time when they and their families are already dealing with trauma,” Nartatez said.

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“We ask the public and the media to refrain from sharing identifying photos or personal details of the children involved. Let us respond with urgency, compassion, and respect for human rights. Protecting our children means protecting their dignity even in the most difficult circumstances,” he added. /gsg

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