The Philippines' legal framework currently falls short in penalizing the online grooming and recruitment of children for violent extremist purposes, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

While existing laws cover cybercrime and terrorism, they are not specifically tailored to address "nihilistic violent extremism" or non-sexual forms of coercion.

The DOJ said these legal gaps hamper efforts to combat the online grooming, recruitment, and exploitation of children for violent acts. It stressed the need for legislation that would target not only digital platforms but also the individuals responsible for grooming minors.

DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said the current legal framework is not designed to address the online recruitment of children for violent extremist activities.

He noted that while terrorism-related conduct, cybercrime, and some forms of child exploitation may be covered under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, these laws remain insufficient.

Under Republic Act No. 11930, grooming and enticement are punishable offenses, but the provisions apply only to sexual abuse and exploitation. According to the DOJ, this leaves gaps when foreign syndicates or local groups groom minors to commit non-sexual crimes, such as mass violence or shootings.

The DOJ also noted that existing terrorism laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, may cover some cases involving child-linked violence. However, authorities must exercise caution because of the broad definition of terrorism under the law.

In cases where minors are radicalized and commit violent acts, particularly those involving firearms, the DOJ said parents may be held criminally liable for negligence and for allowing access to firearms.

Because current laws focus heavily on sexual abuse and material exploitation, the DOJ stressed the urgent need for legislation specifically addressing the online radicalization and behavioral coercion of minors.

Under Republic Act No. 11930, any adult who engages in the online luring or grooming of a child for sexual purposes faces a mandatory penalty of reclusion temporal, or 12 years and one day to 20 years of imprisonment, and a fine ranging from P500,000 to P1 million.

The law penalizes adults who use online platforms or digital means to communicate with minors to build relationships for sexual or romantic purposes. It also covers grooming that begins or occurs offline as a deliberate prelude to online sexual abuse or exploitation.

The penalty applies regardless of whether the minor appears to consent, as children cannot legally consent to sexual coercion or exploitation.

If grooming escalates into more serious offenses under the Anti-OSAEC Act, penalties increase accordingly. When grooming results in the coercion or use of a child to produce Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM), the penalty is life imprisonment and a fine ranging from P2 million to P5 million.