Shaken by the deadly Tacloban City school shooting, House Deputy Speaker Quezon 2nd district Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez called for the swift passage of the proposed Digital Safety of Minors Act.

Embodied in House Bill (HB) No. 9825, the measure seeks to seeks to establish robust protections in the digital space by mandating age-appropriate mechanisms for users aged 16 to 18.

It mandates parental consent and privacy safeguards for younger children, implementing privacy-preserving age assurance, default safety settings, and prohibitions on targeted advertising to minors without consent.

Its author, Suarez, highlighted the measure as government officials scrambled to address the disturbing implications of the attack at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte that was perpetrated by two Grade 9 students aged 14 and 15.

“Ang nangyari sa Tacloban ay masakit na paalala na kailangang mas maging seryoso tayo sa pagprotekta sa ating mga anak—sa paaralan, sa tahanan, at maging sa digital world na araw-araw nilang ginagalawan," the deputy speaker said.

(The incident in Tacloban is a painful reminder that we must be more serious in protecting our children—in schools, at home, and even in the digital world they navigate daily.)

"Hindi na po natin puwedeng balewalain ang epekto ng harmful content, cyberbullying, online exploitation, at masasamang impluwensya sa kabataan. Kapag ang mga bata ay naiiwan sa digital spaces na walang sapat na gabay at proteksyon, lumalaki ang panganib sa kanilang kaligtasan, pag-iisip, at paghubog bilang tao,” stressed Suarez.

(We can no longer ignore the effects of harmful content, cyberbullying, online exploitation, and negative influences on the youth. When children are left in digital spaces without proper guidance and protection, the risks to their safety, mental health, and personal development grow greater.)

The two shooters--reportedly victims of bullying--used .9 and .38 revolver pistols. Three students--one boy and two girls--were killed, while at least seven others were wounded.

Initial reports indicate that the suspects had allegedly been exposed to violent online content and maintained disturbing social media posts.

These developments have renewed concerns over the impact of harmful digital environments on young people and the need for stronger safeguards for children online.

Internationally, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and World Healrh Organization (WHO) reports highlight that over one-third of youth experience cyberbullying, with heavy social media use linked to higher risks of depression, anxiety, and exposure to harmful content.

Suarez urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to fast-track deliberations and pass the measure without delay. He also called on relevant government agencies to strengthen school security protocols and support the affected families and community in Tacloban.

"Bilang ama at lingkod-bayan, masakit isipin ang pinagdaraanan ngayon ng mga pamilyang nawalan ng mahal sa buhay, gayundin ng mga kabataang nasugatan at na-trauma sa pangyayaring ito," said the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats (Lakas-CMD) stalwart.

(As a father and public servant, it is painful to think of the families who lost loved ones, as well as the young people wounded and traumatized by this incident. )

“Today, we mourn. Tomorrow, we must legislate with resolve. Let this tragedy be the catalyst for meaningful change that protects our children both in schools and online,” Suarez said.

Over in Tacloban City, Leyte 1st district Rep. Martin Romualdez, president of the Lakas-CMD, visited the wake of the students who lost their lives in the tragic shooting.

The two-time former House Speaker also checked on those who were injured in the incident.

Romualdez personally met with the victims’ loved ones, and offered prayers and words of comfort as the community continues to mourn one of the deadliest school-related incidents in recent memory.

“Nandito tayo para kumustahin at magbigay ng suporta sa kanilang panawagan para sa hustisya (We're here to check up on and support their call for justice),” he said.

He said the tragedy has brought immense pain not only to the affected families but also to the entire province of Leyte and the broader Filipino community.

Romualdez assured the families that they are not alone in their grief and pledged support for justice as they cope with the loss of their loved ones.