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Remulla rules out bullying, teacher retribution in Zamboanga school shooting

Philippines | Mindanao

Remulla rules out bullying, teacher retribution in Zamboanga school shooting

By Liza Jocson

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla speaks during a press conference in Zamboanga City on Aug. 19, where he ruled out bullying and teacher retribution as motives in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University school shooting.

DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla speaks during a press conference in Zamboanga City on Aug. 19, where he ruled out bullying and teacher retribution as motives in the Ateneo de Zamboanga University school shooting.

ZAMBOANGA CITY — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has dismissed bullying and retribution against a teacher as possible motives behind the school shooting that claimed the lives of two students at Ateneo de Zamboanga University last Tuesday, Aug. 17.

“This is not a case of a boy angry and taking retribution against another boy. This is not a case of bullying. This is not a case of a teacher maltreating a student,” Remulla said during a press conference on Thursday, Aug. 20.

Initial investigations point to misguidance and the negative influence of violent video games, particularly the desensitization to violence from prolonged exposure.

Authorities found that the shooter livestreamed the incident as a “first‑person shooter” on a dark website.

He was also an avid “Roblox” player, which Remulla noted is not inherently dangerous, but whose chat groups may contribute to user radicalization.

Remulla urged a national discussion on tighter regulation of violent online games, warning of their potential to normalize violence among the youth.

His remarks countered online speculation that the attack was an act of retribution against a teacher at the university.

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Zamboanga school shooting

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