Authorities cordoned off the classrooms at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato, where a shooting occurred on Friday afternoon, September 18, killing three students and wounding seven others. Hernel Tocmo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation apprehended an individual allegedly linked to the school shooting incident in South Cotabato and a suspected online groomer in Cebu.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag reported the accomplishments with the help of the National Prosecution Service and the Department of Justice during the Senate budget hearing on Thursday.
“Yesterday we were able to get hold of one of the individuals na somehow related to what happened in South Cotabato and we made an apprehension of one of the suspected groomers from Cebu,” Matibag told lawmakers.
Hunt on for alleged online ‘groomer’ linked to Banga school shooting
Matibag did not specify the nature of the apprehended individual’s involvement in the incident but said the agency was coordinating with the school, processing the arrests, and working to rescue affected individuals.
“Probably by the next coming days, there will be 10 rescue of individuals who belong to that group,” he added.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who chaired the budget hearing, expressed concern over the reported prevalence of school violence.
“Hindi pangkaraniwan yung tatlong beses yung mass shooting na never nangyayari noon which leads many to suspect that this is actually organized, syndicated and calibrated,” the lawmaker said.
PNP blocks websites it says are linked to violence, grooming
Matibag vowed to be on top of the investigation but said additional budget could help the agency strengthen its monitoring of online threats and respond more quickly to potential attacks.
“Baka mas mabilis po sana but we’re doing our best,” he told the lawmakers.
The NBI is seeking P1 billion in confidential funds which Matibag said the additional funding would help the agency procure tools and equipment needed to combat criminal activities, particularly cybercrime.
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