PNP steps up monitoring of online groups targeting minors in promoting violence
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has focused its attention to online sites and other transnational online groups that are allegedly targeting minors in promoting violent extremism.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) was already ordered to step up cyber monitoring in coordination with other government agencies.
“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,” said Nartatez.
Nartatez made the commitment after it was revealed during the Senate hearing on Tacloban City gun attack that the two minors involved may have been exposed to the so-called "764 Network”, which has been identified as a transnational online group of violent extremists.
In the Senate hearing, Sen. Risa Hontiveros said the Tacloban City school shooters said there was an “adult groomer” who is connected to the "764 Network."
The two minor suspects are now under the supervision of the Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth.
Nartatez said the PNP will coordinate with foreign law enforcement agencies to determine the extent of the group's operations and identify the individuals behind it.
He said investigators will also determine whether Filipinos are involved in the 764 Network’s activities and whether other minors may have been targeted, “Our personnel will also look into the possible involvement of Filipinos in this group as well as their supposed target victims.”
Authorities have further intensified the campaign against violent online games, particularly Gorebox to which one of the shooters was allegedly addicted to. The gaming app allows gamers to use weapons to achieve a goal.
While there is no concrete proof yet of the direct connection between violent games and violent school attacks, authorities have been calling parents and guardiads to monitor the online activities of their children.