MANILA — Sen. Risa Hontiveros announced that the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality will conduct a hearing on July 1 to investigate the fatal school shooting in Tacloban City and examine concerns over the online radicalization of children.

The planned inquiry comes after a committee hearing on April 14, 2026, which uncovered allegations that online platforms and gaming spaces have been used to groom, manipulate, and radicalize minors into committing acts of violence.

“Sa July 1, muli nating bubuksan ang pagdinig para alamin kung may papel ang mga online platforms sa pagkalat ng mararahas na ideya. Nagiging pugad ng mga grupong nambe-brainwash at nagra-radicalize sa mga bata,” Hontiveros said.

The senator said the upcoming hearing will assess whether online platforms are taking adequate measures to protect young users from exploitation and harmful content.

“Titingnan natin ulit kung may sapat bang ginagawa ang lahat ng online platforms para hindi mapagsamantalahan ang mga kabataan,” Hontiveros said.

During the April hearing, the committee also discussed the use of online platforms in cases involving online sexual abuse, exploitation, grooming, and extortion targeting children.

Hontiveros stressed the need for accountability among technology companies if their platforms are being used to victimize minors.

“Kung ginagamit ang internet para biktimahin ang mga bata, dapat may managot. Hindi pwedeng kita lang lagi ang iniisip ng Big Tech habang ang ating mga pamilya at paaralan ay nababalot ng trahedya.”

She also underscored the urgency of taking action to prevent similar incidents from happening again.

“Hindi natin hihintayin na magkaroon ng sunod pang biktima bago kumilos. Dapat makapasok ang bawat bata sa paaralan nang ligtas at makauwi rin nang ligtas sa kanilang pamilya,” she concluded.