MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday called for the immediate passage of the Sagip Bata Act, which seeks to strengthen law enforcement tools against Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), following the shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.

Hontiveros said the incident was the country’s third school shooting since June and underscored the need to address the spread of NVE, particularly online.

“Huwag po natin payagan na masabotahe ang pagpasa ng batas na ito. We cannot afford to delay any longer. Habang hindi ito napapasa, napipilayan ang ating mga law enforcers sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng NVE sa bansa,” Hontiveros said.

Once enacted, the measure would allow investigators to formally request subscriber and traffic data in NVE cases, strengthen coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies, and expand intelligence-gathering and undercover online operations, Hontiveros said.

The bill would also establish age-assurance and age-verification requirements and impose additional compliance obligations on technology platforms.

Online platforms would be required to designate a legal representative based in the Philippines who can receive subpoenas, takedown and blocking orders, and requests for account information, among others.

“Huwag nating hayaang pakalat-kalat lang ang mga groomers online nang walang takot. Ipakita natin na mahuhuli sila at mananagot sa kasamaang dinudulot nila sa ating mga anak. These groomers have to pay the price,” she said.

Hontiveros said the Sagip Bata Act, which seeks to strengthen the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act, is among the priority measures of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

“Inaasahan kong kapag naipasa na ito sa Senado ngayong araw, dapat mabilis na ang tuluyang pagsasabatas nito. Government should not let the interests of anyone get in the way of this bill’s passage. May responsibilidad tayo na protektahan ang ating kabataan, at wala tayong dapat ipagpaliban pa,” Hontiveros said.