60 groomers in Tacloban school shooting identified
MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has identified at least 60 people including minors and foreigners behind the online grooming of children in connection with the Tacloban school shooting.
NBI-Eastern Visayas chief Jeremy Lotoc said on Wednesday that the suspects were identified through digital evidence gathered by a task force investigating the shooting at the San Jose National High School on June 22.
“Not all 60 subjects have direct contact with the shooters, but they definitely have influence through their network,” Lotoc said.
The figure may increase as investigators are looking at about 200 other people suspected of influencing minors to carry out violent attacks.
The NBI is looking at the group’s organizational structure, recruitment methods, reach and possible links to extremist groups, Lotoc said.
“One of their methodologies is to identify vulnerable minors like those with problems with their families or schools, and influence them to carry out attacks,” he said. “Radicalization is a convergence of factors, but online influence plays a major part.”
The Tacloban school shooting left three students dead and 20 others wounded.
Two students were arrested in connection with the attack.
Lotoc said investigators continue to receive digital evidence almost daily and have yet to set a timeline for the completion of the probe.
abtestabtest Lopez reshuffles DPWH officials By Rainier Allan Ronda | 1 day ago Newly appointed Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Giovanni Lopez has initiated a revamp of the DPWH’s... Nation 2 soldiers arrested after shooting motorist in Cotabato By John Unson | 5 hours ago Two soldiers landed in jail after one of them had shot and wounded a motorcycle-riding civilian in a gun attack before dawn... Nation Drug den shut down, 5 shabu traffickers arrested in Mindanao By John Unson | 5 hours ago Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency arrested five shabu peddlers, four of them together operating a drug... Nation BARMM parliament opening raises security concerns By John Unson | 5 hours ago All is set for the inaugural session of the 80-seat parliament of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao on Friday,... Nation NTC regional offices mobilized for Undas public assistance ops 9 hours ago The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on Thursday directed the mobilization of all its regional offices nationwide... Nation Latest More in Nation Marcos opens NLEX-C5 link Rimbang to appear at PDEA over Laos drug haul PNP: Undas secured; travelers nearing 2 million Journalist seeks transfer of cyberlibel case to Metro Manila abtest Cebu City mayor fined over night market operation By Daphne Galvez | 15 minutes ago The Office of the Ombudsman has fined Cebu City Mayor Nestor Archival Jr. over irregularities in the operation of the Colon... Nation Comelec resumes voter registration for 2028 elections By Christine Boton | 15 minutes ago Voter registration for the 2028 general elections will resume on Nov. 10, according to the Commission on Elections... Nation Be prayerful when visiting cemeteries, Catholics urged By Evelyn Macairan | 15 minutes ago Catholics have been urged to be prayerful and observe peace when visiting cemeteries on All Saints and All Souls’ ... Nation PAGASA eyes installation of 22 Doppler radars By EJ Macababbad | 15 minutes ago Twenty-two Doppler radars capable of providing faster and more precise weather information are being eyed for installation... Nation Recommended Prosecution to defense: Don’t delay impeach trial 1 day ago Lawyers of Vice President Sara Duterte should not engage in delaying tactics in presenting her defense before the Senate impeachment... NationSARASARA DUTERTE Aplasca files reply to direct assault rap 1 day ago Former Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca has filed his counter-affidavit on the direct assault complaint filed against him... NationAPLASCAMAO Marcos: Don't panic over peso fall to P64 per dollar 1 day ago President Marcos Jr. says rising oil prices are weighing on the currency and economy. NationBONGBONG MARCOSCURRENCYFOREX Premature to talk about VP replacement – Palace 2 days ago It’s premature to talk about a possible replacement for Vice President Sara Duterte while her impeachment trial is ongoing,... NationSARA DUTERTE JV open to inviting budget watchdogs to bicam hearings 2 days ago Senate finance committee chairman JV Ejercito is open to inviting civil society organizations to the bicameral conference... NationLACSONSENATE next Recommended Prosecution to defense: Don’t delay impeach trial Lawyers of Vice President Sara Duterte should not engage in delaying tactics in presenting her defense before the Senate impeachment court, nor should they employ any filibuster methods to drag the case even further. 1 day ago SARA SARA DUTERTE Aplasca files reply to direct assault rap Former Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca has filed his counter-affidavit on the direct assault complaint filed against him over the May 13 Senate shooting. 1 day ago APLASCA MAO Marcos: Don't panic over peso fall to P64 per dollar President Marcos Jr. says rising oil prices are weighing on the currency and economy. 1 day ago BONGBONG MARCOS CURRENCY FOREX Premature to talk about VP replacement – Palace It’s premature to talk about a possible replacement for Vice President Sara Duterte while her impeachment trial is ongoing, Malacañang said yesterday. 2 days ago SARA DUTERTE JV open to inviting budget watchdogs to bicam hearings Senate finance committee chairman JV Ejercito is open to inviting civil society organizations to the bicameral conference committee hearings on the proposed P7.2-trillion national budget for 2027, after the groups flagged up to P1 trillion in potential pork barrel funds in the House of Representatives’ version of the spending bill. 2 days ago LACSON SENATE OK Are you sure you want to log out? Yes No X Login Philstar.com is one of the most vibrant, opinionated, discerning communities of readers on cyberspace. With your meaningful insights, help shape the stories that can shape the country. Sign up now!
