By Wilnard Bacelonia | Philippine News Agency
The Senate on Wednesday placed online grooming and violent digital communities under scrutiny as lawmakers opened an inquiry into the Tacloban school shooting and called for stronger protection for children, both online and inside schools.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, said the tragedy must be examined through several angles, including the possible influence of online networks that target vulnerable minors through games, fake accounts, and closed digital communities.
“Hindi games o gaming community ang kalaban. Tungkol ito sa mga panganib na puwedeng kaharapin ng mga bata habang naglalaro at nakikipag-usap online,” Hontiveros said during the hearing.
She said the committee is looking into leads that the Tacloban shooting may have been influenced by “764,” a violent online network that allegedly targets vulnerable minors and pushes them toward self-harm, sexual exploitation, and violence.
She added that online profiles and posts allegedly linked to one of the minor suspects, and other accounts that appeared to glorify the attack have already been forwarded to the National Bureau of Investigation for verification.
“These are not yet final conclusions. Ang mga ito ay leads,” Hontiveros said, stressing that authorities must determine whether a broader network was involved before more children are victimized.
She said online groomers are organized, know how to hide behind fake accounts, and can pretend to be friends or playmates while exploiting a child’s need for belonging.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, meanwhile, said the spread of nihilistic violent extremism should alarm parents, teachers, law enforcement agencies, and online platforms, as violent content continues to reach children through digital spaces.
“Nung nag-umpisa tayong tignan, ako po ay kinalabutan dahil itong konsepto na ito ay tinuturuan ang ating mga kabataan maging bayolente nang wala pong dahilan,” he said.
Gatchalian said the government should also study the wider “violent online ecosystem,” including bullying, violent games, social media content, and other influences that may affect the behavior and mental health of minors.
Senator Raffy Tulfo said social media platforms and government agencies should treat online warning signs as urgent red flags, especially when minors post about firearms, school shootings, or violent content.
“Kapag ang isang bata ay nag-post ng baril, school shooting references, o pang-violent content, hindi dapat dumaan lang sa news feed. Dapat red flag na agad,” he said.
Tulfo said the country must strengthen coordination with social media platforms, noting that artificial intelligence can already detect keywords, images, videos, and patterns linked to credible threats.
Senator Christopher Lawrence Go said the Tacloban incident should not be treated only as a peace and order issue but also as a youth welfare, public health, and education concern.
“Mental health issue is real talaga. Talagang marami pong apektado,” he said, citing the need for early intervention for students facing bullying, trauma, emotional distress, family problems, and other risk factors.
Go said the recent cases of violence involving students should push government agencies to review school safety protocols, mental health programs, and the implementation of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act.
