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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PNP steps up monitoring of online gaming platforms amid child safety concerns on Roblox

PNP steps up monitoring of online gaming platforms amid child safety concerns on Roblox

Published Mar 22, 2026 11:17 am  |  Updated Mar 22, 2026 01:55 pm
photo: PNP
photo: PNP
Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr., chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), has ordered an intensified intelligence monitoring of online gaming applications amid reports of possible child exploitation.
Nartatez issued the statement after authorities flagged the popular online gaming platform Roblox for allegedly being used in the exploitation of children, with initial reports indicating that predators have taken advantage of the platform’s interactive features to groom and exploit minors.
Nartatez emphasized that the police are particularly concerned about platforms with large numbers of minors over concerns that these are being used to exploit young gamers.
“Our mandate of serving and protecting the people now encompasses the cyberspace to keep them safe especially for children. This is what modern policing also means and your PNP has been keeping up,” said Nartatez.
He said he already directed the Anti-Cybercrime Group to intensify its monitoring of gaming activities—not just on Roblox, but on other applications as well—to prevent their use in criminal activities.
Nartatez added that the police are already coordinating with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) to probe illegal activities on Roblox.
“The PNP is coordinating with other agencies, such as the DICT and the CICC, to investigate the extent to which Roblox may be used for possible crimes, including sexual predation, grooming, and exploitation of minors,” said Nartatez.
“We will not allow our children to be exposed and exploited in this kind of online environment,” he added.
The CICC has reportedly given Roblox until the end of the month to explain to Philippine authorities the measures it is implementing to make the platform a safe space for children as part of a broader government effort to ensure online spaces are secure for young users.
The PNP reiterated that these efforts are not limited to Roblox as other online gaming and social platforms are also under close surveillance.
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