FACT CHECK: CDO congressman Suan’s quote on Tacloban shooting is fake

Claim: The two teenagers behind the shooting incident in San Jose National High School (SJNHS) in Tacloban City are innocent and protected by the Child Protection Act, according to Cagayan de Oro 1st District Representative Lordan Suan.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: Facebook page “Balita sa Kagayan” posted the claim on June 22, which has garnered more than 1,100 reactions and shares, and 400 comments as of writing.

Referring to the school shooting on June 22, the post cites the congressman as saying, “Naniniwala ako na inosente at mababait ang mga batang yan. Protektado sila sa Children Protection Act ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros. Bigyan natin sila ng pangalawang pagkakataon.”

(I believe that the children are innocent and good. They are protected by the Children Protection Act of Senator Risa Hontiveros. Let’s give them a second chance.)

The graphics and claims were also reposted and shared by numerous accounts.

Social media users were quick to criticize Suan and Hontiveros, warning that they will take the blame if another incident happens that will again involve minors.

The facts: Suan did not make the statement about the recent school shooting, nor did he mention the Child Protection Act. 

Joel Torres, Political Affairs Officer 6 of Suan’s office, confirmed in a message to Rappler on June 23 that the circulating post is false. 

“False information po yan. Wala pong statement si Cong Suan na ganyan,” Torres said.

(That’s false information. Congressman Suan did not make that statement.)

Child Protection Act: Contrary to the claim made in the Facebook post, Hontiveros did not author Republic Act No. 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. She did, however, author Senate Bill No. 2332 in the 18th Congress and pushed for the passage of Republic Act No. 11648, which amended RA 7610.

Hontiveros’ involvement can be seen in Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, which she primarily authored.

School shooting: On June 22, three students were killed and at least 15 others injured after a shooting occurred inside the premises of SJNHS. The incident occurred at around 9:20 AM, according to the Tacloban City Police Office.

In a briefing on June 23, the Philippine National Police revealed that investigators found the shooting to be a planned attack carried out by two minors: a 15-year-old identified by the alias “Rod” and a 14-year-old identified by the alias “Nash.”

The Police Regional Office Eastern Visayas also said that the younger of the two suspects played GoreBox, a violent video game, before the incident.

The guns used were owned by the 14-year-old suspect’s aunt, a policewoman, who is now under restrictive custody and will face summary dismissal proceedings.

The incident, which revived fears of online extremism, sparked calls to lower the age of criminal responsibility, which some sectors have opposed.

Debunked: Rappler has repeatedly debunked previous claims revolving around Suan: 

• FACT CHECK: Quote card of CDO congressman Suan on gas prices is fake
• FACT CHECK: Quote card of CDO congressman Suan criticizing OFWs is fake
• FACT CHECK: Cagayan de Oro congressional bet Lordan Suan has not been disqualified
• FACT CHECK: Viral quote card of CDO congressman on Sara impeachment fake

 – Lourence Angelo Marcellana/Rappler.com

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