Malacañang on Wednesday called on news outlets to practice heightened sensitivity when reporting on cases that involve minors, warning that sensationalized or detailed coverage risks triggering copycat acts.
During a Palace briefing, Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro urged news organizations to evaluate how such tragic events are framed, noting the danger of youth imitation.
Communications Secretary Dave Gomez supported the call, stating:
”In incidents involving minors, all state media must exercise the highest level of caution in how such tragedies are reported.”
Gomez clarified that while the administration has no intention of censoring independent press entities, it is asking for voluntary cooperation from newsrooms.
”We will not impose restrictions on private media organizations, however, we respectfully appeal to them to exercise extreme care and responsibility in their coverage,” Gomez said.
“In particular, we asked for restraint in reporting that may compromise the dignity, safety and privacy of minors, the bereaved families and the ongoing response and investigation efforts and to avoid details that may encourage copycat acts.”
Castro added that recent violent events, such as the shooting at a school, could be replicated by youth under the mistaken assumption that their age shields them from legal consequences.
”Hindi po kasi ito ang dapat na talagang naituturo natin sa ating mga kabataan. Ang dapat nating itinuturo ay ang tamang pag-uugali, paano igalang ang ating mga kapwa at kung paano makitungo sa ating mga kaklase, sa ating mga guro, sa mga elders,” Castro said.
She further requested that the public withhold speculation until official authorities finish verifying the facts.
To address school security, Castro announced that the Department of Education (DepEd) is scheduled to hold a nationwide school safety drill on August 25.
”Ang focus natin ay prevention. Maagapan ang anumang banta, mabilis na reporting, tamang assessment at close coordination para sa agarang police response,” Castro explained, confirming that law enforcement agencies, municipal officials, and DepEd are working jointly on emergency protocols.
“May mga operational details din tayong hindi na muna puwedeng ilabas para hindi makompromiso ang security measures at maiwasan ang unnecessary alarm sa publiko.”
Reinforcing campus security remains a critical operational goal for DepEd moving forward. According to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM), the proposed 2027 fiscal budget contains funding streams that public schools can allocate toward security measures.
For public educational facilities, funding for security personnel and assets is typically integrated within their Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) and core programs, rather than earmarked as an independent line item.
”So maasahan po na mayroon pong ilalaan na pondo para sa mas pinaigting na seguridad sa ating mga kabataan lalung-lalo na sa mga eskuwelahan,” Castro concluded.