The Department of Justice (DoJ) has called for legislation criminalizing the online grooming and recruitment of children for violent extremist acts, saying that existing laws are ill-equipped to address the growing threat exposed by the recent school shooting in Tacloban City.

Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty said current laws punish cybercrime, terrorism, and online sexual abuse of children but do not specifically cover the online coercion or radicalization of minors to commit mass violence and other non-sexual crimes.

The issue came into focus during a recent Senate hearing on the 23 June shooting at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City where investigators said the two minor suspects may have been influenced by an adult “groomer” linked to the transnational extremist group known as the “764 Network.”

Ty said Republic Act 11930 penalizes online grooming only when it involves sexual abuse or exploitation, leaving legal gaps when children are recruited online to commit violent acts.

He said terrorism laws may apply in some cases but warned that their broad provisions are not tailored to online radicalization involving minors.

The DoJ also noted that parents could face criminal liability if they negligently allow their minor children to have access to firearms that are used in violent crimes.

‘764 Network’

Under Republic Act 11930, adults convicted of online grooming for sexual purposes face 12 years and one day to 20 years in prison and fines ranging from P500,000 to P1 million. 

Penalties increase to life imprisonment if the offense leads to the production of child sexual abuse or exploitation materials.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police have intensified their cyber patrols and monitoring of transnational online groups that promote violence among children.

Investigators are coordinating with foreign law enforcement agencies to determine the extent of the “764 Network” and identify those behind it. 

Authorities are also examining whether Filipinos are involved and whether other minors have been recruited.

The two minor suspects in the Tacloban shooting remain in the custody of a Regional Rehabilitation Center for Youth as the investigation continues.