MANILA – Sen. Risa Hontiveros called for stronger government action against online grooming and nihilistic violent extremism (NVE), saying authorities must examine multiple factors behind the recent school shooting in Tacloban City to prevent similar incidents.

Speaking at the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality hearing, Hontiveros first expressed condolences to the families of the students killed and concern for those injured and traumatized by the June 22 shooting at San Jose National High School.

She also thanked the families of the victims and survivors who participated in the hearing despite their grief, including the parents of slain student Yancee Separa, who joined online from Tacloban, and relatives of two students who remain hospitalized.

Hontiveros said justice should be pursued for the victims while the government works to strengthen protections for children against violence.

The senator said the hearing focused on online grooming through gaming platforms as a continuation of an earlier inquiry into a school shooting attempt in Laguna, where the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group raised concerns over the spread of nihilistic violent extremism targeting young people.

She clarified that she was not calling for a ban on online games.

“Let me be clear: I am not calling for a total ban on online games. Wala akong sinasabi na ang naglalaro ng games ay gagawa ng karahasan in real life. Fake news po iyon. Maraming kabataan ang naglalaro para magpahinga, makipagkaibigan, matuto, at maglibang. Malinaw po sa akin: 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 there were indications that the Tacloban shooting may have been influenced by a group known as “764,” which she described as a network that allegedly recruits vulnerable minors online and encourages them to engage in harmful and violent acts.

According to the senator, the group reportedly targets young people through online platforms and gaming communities, including Roblox, Minecraft and Gorebox, and allegedly exposes them to materials involving sextortion, weapons, explosives and other dangerous activities.

She said reports from independent investigators linked social media profiles allegedly belonging to one of the Tacloban suspects and individuals believed to be part of the same network. Hontiveros, however, stressed that these findings remain preliminary.

“I want to be very clear: These are not yet final conclusions. Ang mga ito ay leads. Kaya pinadala na po natin ang kumpletong detalye nito sa NBI para sa beripikasyon at imbestigasyon. Posibleng may mas malawak na network, at kailangang mahuli ito bago pa magkaroon ng susunod na mabibiktima.”

Hontiveros said the profiles had previously been active on Meta before being deactivated, adding that the information had been forwarded to the National Bureau of Investigation for verification and investigation.

She also cited a viral social media post alleging that a child was instructed to remove clothing as part of a task on Roblox in exchange for rewards, saying online platforms and the government have a responsibility to act when children are targeted or exploited.

The senator also urged authorities to review other issues surrounding the Tacloban shooting, including children’s access to firearms, possible penalties for parents or caregivers who allow minors access to guns, the implementation of the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, and early intervention measures for students with mental health concerns.

Hontiveros said the government, schools, families, law enforcement agencies and online platforms must work together to strengthen safeguards for children and ensure similar tragedies do not happen again.