Leaders of the House of Representatives have united with the Department of Education (DepEd) in calling on the public to halt the dissemination of graphic images, footage, and unconfirmed details surrounding the Banga National High School shooting in South Cotabato.
House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy III conveyed his condolences to the students, faculty, and families impacted by the tragic occurrence on Friday, September 18.
“Lubos tayong nalulungkot at nababahala sa insidente ng pamamaril sa Banga National High School sa South Cotabato. Nakikiisa tayo sa mga mag-aaral, kanilang mga pamilya, mga guro, at sa buong komunidad ng paaralan na naapektuhan ng trahedyang ito,” Dy stated.
With official investigations still underway to establish the details of the attack, Dy urged the public to act responsibly online and avoid spreading unvalidated reports or sensitive imagery.
“Habang hinihintay natin ang buo at beripikadong impormasyon tungkol sa insidente sa Banga, maging responsable rin sana tayo sa ating pagtugon. Huwag ipakalat ang mga sensitibo o graphic na larawan at video ng insidente, at huwag magbahagi ng mga kuwento o paratang na hindi pa napatutunayan,” he added.
Dy stressed that withholding such materials shows basic courtesy to those grieving.
“Muli nating ipinapaalala ang panawagan ng [DepEd] na iwasang ikalat ang hindi beripikadong impormasyon at mga video bilang paggalang sa mga biktima at kanilang mga pamilya,” the Speaker urged.
Echoing the leadership’s sentiment, Pasig City Lone District Representative Roman Romulo, who heads the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture, similarly cautioned social media users against posting disturbing media or speculative claims.
”Please do not share graphic or insensitive photographs or videos of the incident, and do not repost unverified stories or allegations,” Romulo said.
Romulo reiterated that educational authorities specifically asked for public restraint to minimize further distress to the victims’ relatives.
”DepEd has specifically appealed to the public to refrain from circulating unverified information and videos of the incident, citing respect for the victims and their families,” Romulo emphasized.