PNP-ACG steps up cyber patrol of online sites

MANILA, Philippines — To protect minors from exposure to violent extremism, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up its cyber patrolling of online sites and transnational online groups.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. yesterday ordered the Anti-Cybercrime Group and other units to intensify their monitoring of online platforms after further investigation showed that the two students who went on a shooting rampage in a school in Tacloban on June 22 were recruited by an “adult groomer.”

The suspects aged 14 and 15 killed three of their schoolmates and wounded 20 others.

The groomer has been linked to the so-called 764 Network, a transnational online group of violent extremists.

“The service and protection that we in the PNP have committed to provide extend beyond our streets and communities. We are now giving equal focus on cyberspace through close monitoring and intense cyber patrolling,” the PNP chief said in a statement.

Nartatez said they are coordinating with their foreign counterparts to identify the people behind the group (764 Network) and the extent of their operations.

“Our personnel will also look into the possible involvement of Filipinos in this group as well as their supposed target victims,” Nartatez said.

The suspects in the Tacloban shooting are in the custody of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth and under the supervision of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth.

Fight NVE

There might be a need for new laws to fight the so-called nihilistic violent extremism (NVE) networks that are allegedly trying to persuade children to carry out plans that may cause mass casualties or even terrorist acts, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said there is “not enough legal framework to tackle NVE.”

Help desks

To strengthen efforts that would ensure the safety and welfare of students, the PNP also plans to put up help desks for bullying-related complaints.

Police stations’ personnel will man the help desks.

Stronger juvenile justice law

Sen. Risa Hontiveros has opposed proposals seeking to lower the minimum age of criminal liability from 15 years to 10 years, and proposed instead to fix the government’s intervention programs for juvenile offenders.

The senator said she agrees to review, evaluate and even amend the current Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act to strengthen the law, particularly on having a more comprehensive and effective intervention and diversion programs for children in conflict with the law.

In another development, in Zamboanga City, two senior high school students who were stabbed and wounded after they allegedly bullied their classmate on a school campus on Wednesday were poised to file criminal charges, according to Mayor Khymer Olaso.

Meanwhile, the PNP’s Anti Cybercrime Group and social media platform TikTok have strengthened their partnership against cybercrime such as scams and online fraud. — Ghio Ong, Daphne Galvez, Roel Pareño