PNP: 2 websites urging children to commit violence blocked

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have blocked two websites allegedly being used by “groomers” to encourage children to commit real-world violence, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a press briefing on Monday, PNP spokesperson PCol. Allen Rae Co said the PNP’s Anti-Cybercrime Group coordinated with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to block the websites.

READ: PNP sounds alarm over online posts of students carrying firearms

He said the NTC responded to the request and directed internet service providers (ISPs) to make the websites inaccessible in the country.

“These websites are the ones that are used to promote real-world violence, where children are groomed and given a kind of tasking, starting from superficial ones … until such time that they end up in shootings and assaults in real life,” Co said.

“Access to those websites has already been blocked by the NTC by instructing our ISPs there,” he added.

Co did not provide further information about the websites, noting that the investigation is ongoing.

When asked if these websites have a connection to recent incidents in the country involving minors, he replied, “could be.”

“There is definitely an influence on what has been happening recently,” he added.

READ: 2 minors, 18-year-old nabbed for online threats in South Cotabato

The PNP official said they are in the process of identifying other websites promoting real-world violence on social media.

“We are doing everything to check if there are others grooming our young people,” he added.

Several cases of school-related violence, including shootings and stabbings, have been reported across the country over the past three months, beginning June 16.

On Monday morning, a 13-year-old student in Sultan Kudarat allegedly issued shooting threats against a school in Lambayong town. Police are investigating the incident. /mcm