At least six Facebook posts are claiming that Sen. Risa Hontiveros defended the two minor suspects in the June 22 Tacloban school shooting, saying both are innocent. This is fake.
The first post published on June 27 contains a photo of the senator and this fabricated quote attributed to her:
“Walang kasalanan ang dalawang studyanteng namaril sa paaralan, kitang-kita naman na sila’y mga inocente palang at hindi pa alam ang kanilang mga ginagawa, kung meron mang masisi dito yon ay ang mga magulang ng mga bata
Wag kalimutan ang proper guidance
(The two students who opened fire at the school bear no fault, as it is highly evident that they are still innocent and unaware of the gravity of their actions. If anyone is to blame for this, it is the children’s parents.
Let us not forget the importance of proper guidance).”
The post also carried comments criticizing the senator’s alleged defence of the minors:
“Unya mao ni inyoha iPresident? Simbako!
Madam, accountability begins when a child is able to understand right from wrong and knowingly chooses sin. Kabalo ning mga bataa nga sala ilaha buhaton but still they chose to kill. Mura na galig tigulang ang mga nawong. Giplan pa gali nila ang pagpatay, madam. Unya nagsalig pa nga di mapriso kay iDSWD ra. Nakabasa ka sa ilaha Convo, madam
(Is this your choice for president? God forbid!
Madam, accountability begins when a child can distinguish right from wrong and knowingly chooses to commit an offense. These children were fully aware that what they did was wrong, yet they chose to kill. They look like adults, and they even pre-planned the killing. They are merely relying on the assumption that they will escape imprisonment because they will be handed over to the DSWD. Have you read their text conversations, Madam)?”
The post presents itself as Hontiveros’ take on proposals to amend the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 (Republic Act No. 9344).
While the actual social media post was published on June 27, the text embedded in the image claims the statement was made on June 22, the exact date of the Tacloban shooting. However, there are no statements from the senator’s FB account containing these remarks.
These fake posts surfaced after Hontiveros announced the Senate will reopen its inquiry on child safety on digital spaces on July 1, with online radicalization among children now under deeper scrutiny.
Two days before the publication of the fabricated quote card, Hontiveros warned the public against the spread of disinformation, following the dissemination of an AI-assisted photo of her with the minor suspects in the Tacloban school shooting.
Posted by FB users, the false reposted posts have so far collectively garnered 6,550 reactions, 2,769 comments, and 2,305 shares.
