Abalos asks public to stop spread of fake news on school shooting

Cabinet Secretary Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. on Thursday called on the public to stop spreading speculation and fake news about the fatal shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, stressing that authorities must be allowed to complete their investigation.

During his visit to the university, Abalos conveyed President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s sympathies to the victims’ families and the school community.

“Nakausap ko kanina si Pangulo. Bilin niya sa akin to really extend his sympathies. Masyadong masakit ang nangyari (I spoke with the President earlier. He asked me to personally convey his sympathies. What happened is deeply painful),” he said.

Abalos urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions about the motive or circumstances of the shooting while authorities are still establishing the facts.

“Tigilan na muna ang haka-haka at fake news. Hindi ito nakakatulong sa komunidad, lalo na sa mga bata at mga guro. Antayin na lamang natin ang resulta ng imbestigasyon (Let’s put a stop to the speculation and fake news for now. It does not help the community, especially the children and teachers. Let us just wait for the results of the investigation),” he said.

The shooting Tuesday left a student dead, while the suspected gunman, also a student, died in an apparent suicide.

Abalos said a thorough investigation is necessary to determine what happened and identify reforms that could prevent similar incidents.

“Talagang hustisya ang importante rito, at importante ring huwag na itong maulit. Ang tama at masusing imbestigasyon ang magdadala sa atin sa mga repormang kinakailangan (Justice is what truly matters here, and it is also crucial to ensure this does not happen again. A proper and thorough investigation will lead us to the necessary reforms),” he said.

He also urged authorities to examine safeguards against children’s exposure to harmful online content, pointing to the lack of parental controls comparable to those imposed in cinemas.

Abalos said the government would review existing policies and security measures after the investigation establishes the circumstances surrounding the shooting.