The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has confirmed that the extremist group 764 has been active in the Philippines since last year and has been recruiting minors, with authorities rescuing 24 children linked to the group.

“Sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa PNP at doon sa ating mga law enforcement, mayroon nang mga na-rescue mula October 2025 hanggang sa kasalukuyan, na ito iyong mga nag-report directly at humingi ng assistance sa PNP. Mga 24 na menor de edad ito, at given iyong mga recent incident na naiuugnay dito sa grupong 764, pinag-iigting ang imbestigasyon patungkol doon sa mga adult groomer ng mga bata na sangkot dito,” CICC Deputy Executive Director Assistant Secretary Alvin Navarro said during the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program on Friday.

During a Senate hearing on Thursday, Senator Risa Hontiveros revealed that 764, which originated in Texas, United States, exploits online platforms such as Roblox, Minecraft, and Gorebox to identify and recruit potential targets.

She said the group has been tagged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a “national security threat” and by the Canadian government as a terrorist organization.

The extremist group has been linked to the case involving two teenage suspects who opened fire at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City last week, leaving three people dead and about 20 others injured.

The two suspects were reportedly wearing shirts bearing the name of the 764 group during the attack.

According to Navarro, the network’s groomers target teenagers active on online gaming platforms, particularly those featuring violent themes.

“Kapag natukoy nitong groomer ang mga vulnerable na recruit, dadalhin na nila ito sa mga messaging platforms, Discord and Telegram. At dito na sila i-introduce doon sa initiation at kung paano sila magkakaroon ng membership status. Magsisimula iyan halimbawa sa tasking, ‘mambasag kayo ng mga salamin diyan sa komunidad ninyo tapos i-upload ninyo at ipakita ninyo sa amin,’” he said.

“Kapag successful, pupunta na sa stage two. Escalated na. Hanggang stage three. Dahil ang kultura dito ay gino-glorify, halimbawa, ang violence at self-harm, iyong mga batang na-indoctrinate na, iyong mga kabataang nahikayat na, ay gagawa na ng mga krimen. At sa kultura nila, ia-upload nila ito. Ang tingin sa kanila ay star sila at celebrity,” he added.

Navarro said the groomers often target young people experiencing family or school problems, as well as those struggling with mental health issues, loneliness, or extreme introversion.

In response, the CICC said it will launch a massive public information campaign in coordination with various government agencies, including the Department of Social Welfare and Development, the Department of Education, local government units, and private-sector partners.