To check school violence: Lawmaker wants franchises for social media

MANILA, Philippines — The deadly school shooting in Banga, South Cotabato, has prompted a congressman to push for a measure requiring social media platforms to secure congressional franchises before operating in the Philippines, as authorities grapple with concerns over online content, school security and youth violence.

House Bill No. 4786, which Quezon Rep. David “Jayjay” Suarez filed a year ago this month, seeks to classify social media as “public services of significant public consequence,” subjecting major platforms to congressional oversight similar to broadcasting stations and public utilities.

“Social media is no longer just entertainment. It shapes our democracy, our economy, and the safety of our children,” Suarez said, arguing that the measure would make platforms more accountable for content moderation failures.

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READ: House panel OKs total social media ban for children below 13

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Under the bill, platforms exceeding a user threshold to be set in the implementing rules would need congressional franchises, a Philippine branch or local legal entity, and a representative responsible for compliance.

The proposal cites concerns over foreign-based platforms with limited physical presence in the country, making it difficult to enforce laws, address complaints and hold companies accountable for content moderation.

READ: Campus shooter ‘planned  attack, warned classmates’

“These foreign-based platforms often operate with limited physical presence in the Philippines, making it challenging for the government to enforce laws, demand accountability for content moderation failures, address consumer complaints, and ensure equitable tax compliance,” Suarez said in the bill’s explanatory note.

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The measure also follows calls for tighter controls on violent content and proposals to restrict children’s access to social media and violent online games, as officials examine whether online spaces contribute to threats against schools.

“After the shootings in Tacloban, Zamboanga, and Banga, platforms that reach tens of millions of users—including students—must meet basic standards of responsibility,” Suarez said. “Accountability is overdue.”

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The bill also mandates the creation of a “grievance redress system” accessible to users.

‘I’ll take responsibility’

In Banga, South Cotabato, Gov. Reynaldo Tamayo Jr. said he was taking full responsibility for the Sept. 18 attack at Banga National High School, but acknowledged that the provincial government lacked enough manpower to secure public schools.

“I’ll take full responsibility for what had happened in the shooting incident at the Banga National High School,” Tamayo said.

“Security is everybody’s concern,” he said.

Banga Mayor Albert Palencia acknowledged that the school had only one security guard for more than 3,000 students.

Kathryne, mother of 14-year-old victim Dianne, questioned how the shooter entered the campus with a gun despite tighter security measures introduced after the fatal shootings in Tacloban and Zamboanga.

“How was he able to enter the school carrying a gun? How did he get inside without being inspected by the guards?” the grieving single parent asked.

Police identified the shooter as a 14-year-old Grade 9 student who used a 9mm Taurus pistol. His motive remained under investigation.

Student ‘hero’

Tamayo hailed wounded student Bryan Pamunag as a “living hero” for confronting the assailant after the first shot.

Pamunag kicked the shooter and locked the classroom door, but he continued firing through a window and shot Pamunag in the arm, Tamayo said. His classmates broke a rear window and escaped.

“He risked his life to save his classmates,” the governor said, adding the provincial government will honor Pamunag for his heroism.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara opposed deploying police and soldiers inside campuses under the safe school policy of Department of Education (DepEd), but urged barangay officials and tanods to help secure schools without guards.

Joint task force

The Philippine National Police said it was preparing to strengthen school-safety measures, including the use of barangay security personnel as force multipliers.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. welcomed Angara’s proposal for a Joint School Safety Task Force involving DepEd, the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the PNP.

He also ordered the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group to intensify cyberpatrolling and action against cyber-related threats.

“The recent incident in a school in South Cotabato underscores a need for stronger coordination and action, particularly against online spaces that promote or glorify violence,” Nartatez said.

Classes at Banga National High School were suspended on Monday for school-safety discussions and to address the psychosocial impact of the shooting.

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The Department of Social Welfare and Development and DepEd were providing psychological first aid and psychosocial support. —With a report from Dianne Sampang