THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said it is intensifying its efforts against Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) and other harmful online content.
DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the agency has been coordinating with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), Philippine National Police (PNP), internet service providers, telecommunications companies, and digital platforms to improve threat monitoring, information-sharing, and network-level safeguards against harmful content.
"These efforts are part of our continuing work to protect Filipinos, especially children and young people, from harmful content and threats such as NVE. We welcome the proactive steps being taken by our telecommunications and internet service providers in order to keep our digital spaces safe,” Aguda said.
With the sudden increase in extreme school-related violence, the DICT said that Globe Telecom Inc., PLDT Inc., Smart Communications Inc., and Converge ICT Solutions Inc. have been stepping up voluntary network-level blocking of websites carrying graphic violence, school shooting footage, child sexual abuse and exploitation materials, scams, and other prohibited content.
Both PLDT and Smart have begun blocking more than 100 domains linked to extreme violence. Globe and Converge both said they support efforts to curb access to online content depicting school shootings and other acts of extreme violence.
Aguda said the initiatives are part of broader network-level child safeguarding and anti-abuse initiatives carried out by government agencies and international child-safety organizations.
The measures fall under Child Online Safeguarding Policies (COSP) to reduce children’s exposure to cyber threats, online exploitation, violence, and other harmful content.
Aguda said providers observe due process and human rights policies in implementing website blocking and other network safeguards.
"Keeping the internet safe is a shared responsibility. We encourage all our partners in government and industry to remain vigilant, act responsibly, and work with us to prevent harmful content from being used to promote violence, exploitation, or other dangerous activities,” he said.
In a related development, the 14-year-old student who smuggled an unloaded gun to school in Cebu told police he only wanted to threaten a friend’s bullies.
The Grade 9 student was caught with a handgun during a surprise bag inspection last week at Lut-od National High School in Pinamungajan, Cebu.
The.357 Smith and Wesson Magnum revolver was discovered by a teacher in the student’s bag, according to Cebu police director Col. Abubakar Mangelen Jr.
The student said he smuggled in the weapon because he wanted to scare the bullies that had beaten up one of his friends, Col. Allen Rae Co, PNP spokesman, said.
The PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government believe that school violence was on the rise because young students imitate violent acts they see on television and online platforms.
Co said the gun found on the Cebu student was unregistered making the tracking of the owner difficult.
The student initially said the gun was his grandfather’s, but later recanted and said he does know who owned it.
