Content warning: School shooting and violence
“My heart aches.”
Concert director Paolo Valenciano shared that he was heartbroken after having a conversation with his nine-year-old daughter about school shootings.
On Wednesday, August 19, Paolo posted about having a “hard conversation” with his daughter, Leia, about what to do in case a similar incident occurs, following the shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University’s (AdZU) Junior High School campus on August 18.
READ: 2 students dead in in Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting including gunman, officials say | Ateneo de Zamboanga grieving after school shooting
The shooting, which was livestreamed on social media, was allegedly carried out by a Grade 8 student who also took his own life afterward.
The incident left two students dead.
The shooter reportedly intended to shoot a teacher but missed.
He carried two pistols, one of which was issued to his father, a Bureau of Customs official at the Zamboanga port. The official has since been relieved of his post following the incident amid an investigation.
Authorities are still determining the shooter’s motive for the shooting, although nihilistic violent extremism (NVE) is among the factors being looked into.
According to the US Department of Justice, NVE networks can target children and teenagers on social media and gaming platforms, where perpetrators may use manipulation and blackmail to coerce victims into producing violent or self-harm content, sometimes demanding that these acts be livestreamed.
Meanwhile, Paolo said AdZU shooting prompted him to check on his daughter, with whom he had a difficult conversation about what to do in case of a similar incident.
“I watched the video. I contacted Leia’s school. I told Leia what happened,” he wrote on Threads, referring to the video of the shooting that has circulated online.
ALSO READ: ‘Not everything should be shared’: Filipinos urge restraint over Ateneo Zamboanga shooting footage
“I told her what to do if something similar happens. Hard conversation. My heart aches,” Paolo added with a broken-heart emoji.
Paolo’s post has garnered various reactions from other online users.
“Same. Worst fear. Terrible, horrible thing to have happened,” one commented with a broken-heart emoji.
“Good job, Dad,” another wrote.
“This is so heartbreaking. School is a safe space sana,” another wrote.
This is the second school shooting in the country in recent months, with the first occurring on June 22 at San Jose National High School in Talcoban City.
The previous shooting involved two teenagers, who were taken into custody following the incident. The 14-year-old suspect was referred to a rehabilitation facility, while the 15-year-old faces criminal charges.
Several stabbing incidents in schools have also been reported since June. The Philippine National Police said it recorded four stabbing incidents among 50 school-related incidents involving children in conflict with the law from June 16 to August 19.
