A deadly attack at a public high school in Tacloban City, Philippines, has left three students dead and 20 others injured. The attackers, two 15- and 14-year-old schoolmates, used a semi-automatic pistol and a revolver in the shooting.

Response to the Attack

Philippine authorities are rethinking school safety measures and looking to expand civil defense planning to cover gun violence. The school, which has close to 2,000 students, was not prepared for such a situation, and some panicked students inadvertently exposed themselves to the shooters.

Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said he would meet with education and health officials to update emergency measures and better prepare teachers and students to respond to shooting-related incidents. The national police support lowering the minimum age at which children can be held responsible for a crime to 12 from 15.

Investigation and Concerns

Initial questioning by authorities indicated the two suspects may have been bullied since the seventh grade. However, authorities also cautioned against drawing conclusions as the investigation was still ongoing. Other lines of investigation were also being considered, including the possible influence of social media.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara expressed concerns about children’s exposure to online violence, saying it’s not just a peace and order problem, but also a need to manage the children. Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros said she will reopen a Senate inquiry into the alleged use of online platforms to groom and radicalize children into committing violence.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.