Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Monday that Congress is in the best position to determine whether social media use should be prohibited for individuals 16 and younger.

Nartatez said the national police force will enforce existing laws and step up efforts to protect minors from harmful online content through cyber patrols conducted by the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group.

The enforcement aligns with directives from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla to protect children from harmful online influences and proactively address emerging digital threats.

"The Philippine National Police trusts the wisdom of our lawmakers on the proposed prohibition of social media use for those 16 years old and below," Nartatez said. "We, however, are ready to provide inputs and recommendations based on our years of experience of implementing the existing laws relating to this matter." Calls to restrict or ban social media access for minors intensified following a fatal incident in Tacloban City that left three students dead and several others injured.

The tragedy sparked national discussions among government and education officials regarding the influence of online content on youth behavior.

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian previously announced that the proposal to restrict minors from social media platforms is among the priority bills slated for discussion

by the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council.

Nartatez said the Anti-Cybercrime Group is prepared to assist lawmakers by providing technical data and observations on the regulation and monitoring of digital platforms.

The PNP is also increasing its coordination with social media companies and holding regular dialogues with platform operators to address content that could negatively impact minors.

"The PNP will continue to work with the management of social media platforms to strengthen the monitoring of content that may affect the behavior of minors," Nartatez said, adding that protecting children from online threats requires a collaborative effort among tech companies, schools, parents and communities.