MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has blocked two websites that police said were allegedly used to groom minors and encourage them to carry out real-world violence, amid investigations into a series of school violence incidents in the Philippines.
Philippine National Police spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co said Monday that the NTC directed internet service providers to block access to the websites following a request from the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.
“These websites espouse real-world violence. They groom [children] and give them tasks, starting from easy ones until such time these involve shooting and hurting people in real life,” Co told reporters.
“Access to those websites has already been blocked by the NTC by instructing our ISPs,” he added.
Co did not identify the websites, saying authorities were still investigating them.
Asked whether authorities had found links between the websites and recent violent incidents involving minors, Co said they had influenced incidents that occurred recently.
The PNP is also identifying other websites and online platforms that allegedly promote real-world violence and could target minors.
The NTC action followed a series of school violence incidents, including the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City and the Aug. 18 shooting at Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School. Authorities have been investigating possible online influences in some of the cases.
Police investigate online threats
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. urged the public to use social media responsibly after authorities took action against several students and an adult over alleged online threats following the Sept. 18 shooting at Banga National High School in Banga, South Cotabato.
“Let this be a reminder that social media is not a place to make threats or create fear. Just because a post was made online, it doesn’t mean it has no real-life impact,” Nartatez said.
South Cotabato authorities separately arrested or questioned minors over alleged threats to carry out violence at schools following the Banga shooting.
Police in Sultan Kudarat also questioned a 13-year-old student who allegedly posted photos of firearms and threatened to carry out a shooting at Kapingkong National High School.
In Esperanza, Sultan Kudarat, police questioned two students and an adult who appeared in a video involving an alleged firearm. Regional police director Brig. Gen. Alan Manibog said investigators determined that the video had been recorded in July and was not connected to the Banga shooting or intended as a threat.
Authorities examine social media influence
Authorities have increasingly examined the role of online platforms and content following recent school violence.
The National Bureau of Investigation said in August that it had identified a group of alleged “groomers” who recruited minors to carry out violent acts. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the group targeted minors aged 12 to 19 and allegedly assigned members tasks involving violence and other illegal activities. Investigators were checking whether the group had links to the Ateneo de Zamboanga shooting and other incidents.
The government has also taken action involving online platforms. The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center said Roblox had agreed to strengthen child-safety measures and user verification following discussions with Philippine officials.
Authorities continue to investigate whether online content, social media activity or gaming platforms influenced individual school violence cases. Such links remain subject to investigation and have not been established in every incident.
