MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros renewed her push for legislation targeting the online grooming and recruitment of children into violence following the deadly shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato.

Hontiveros said Monday that the September 18 attack underscored the need to strengthen law enforcement tools against nihilistic violent extremism, or NVE, particularly activities taking place online.

The shooting left three students dead, including the student gunman, and several others injured. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered a thorough investigation, including into how the minor obtained and brought a firearm inside the school.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla later said investigators found that the shooter had been heavily exposed to what he described as the “deep dark web” and that notes recovered from the student’s phone were being examined. The statement represents the DILG’s findings at this stage of the investigation; authorities have not publicly established that NVE caused the attack.

The Banga shooting was the third fatal school shooting reported in the Philippines in three months.

On June 22, three students were killed in a shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City. Police filed charges against a 15-year-old student, while another 14-year-old was placed under an intervention program. The Department of Justice later said it was examining whether the incident could be connected to a broader pattern of extremism, including possible NVE.

On August 18, another student opened fire at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University Junior High School campus, killing a fellow student before dying himself. The Department of the Interior and Local Government said the attack had been livestreamed on social media.

Against that backdrop, Hontiveros is pressing for the proposed Sagip Bata Act, which seeks to expand protections under Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, to address emerging forms of online harm, including the recruitment of minors into serious violence.

The proposal stems from Senate Bill No. 1819, which seeks to strengthen the country's existing policies against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. Senate records show the bill underwent an amendment by substitution in May 2026 and was identified as a priority measure of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.

Under the proposed measure, investigators handling NVE-related cases would be allowed to formally seek subscriber and traffic data and conduct online intelligence-gathering and undercover operations, according to Hontiveros.

The proposal would also strengthen coordination with foreign law enforcement agencies in cases involving online platforms or users outside the Philippines. Technology platforms would face age-assurance and age-verification requirements and would be required to designate a Philippine-based legal representative authorized to receive subpoenas, requests for account information, and takedown or blocking orders.

NVE has emerged as a concern among Philippine law enforcement and justice officials following cases involving minors and violent online content. The Department of Justice has described it as involving individuals or online groups that promote extreme violence, self-harm, or chaos without a cohesive political or religious ideology.

“Huwag po natin payagan na masabotahe ang pagpasa ng batas na ito. We cannot afford to delay any longer,” Hontiveros said as she urged the Senate to act on the measure.

She said stronger investigative powers would help authorities identify people who use online spaces to groom or recruit minors into violent acts.

“Huwag nating hayaang pakalat-kalat lang ang mga groomers online nang walang takot,” Hontiveros said, adding that those responsible should be held accountable.

Hontiveros previously stressed that legislation addressing online recruitment is only one part of the response to school violence, citing mental health, parental supervision, access to firearms, school security, and online influences among the issues government agencies should examine.

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