PNP-ACG rescues 7 minors allegedly recruited online for mass shootings

Seven minor students who were allegedly recruited online to carry out acts of violence have been rescued by authorities, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday.

The PNP said its Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) conducted the operation after receiving intelligence information from foreign law enforcement partners about suspicious activities in the online gaming community.

“Authorities said recruitment and psychological influence reportedly took place through chat groups and online discussions within the gaming platforms,” the PNP said in a statement.

“These online groups allegedly encouraged violent acts such as assaults and mass shootings while some conversations also suggested committing suicide after carrying out the attacks,” it added.

According to the police, several mass murderers and mass shooters were reportedly being idolized within the group’s discussions.

PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. directed the ACG to intensify monitoring of online gaming communities and chat platforms where extremist recruiters may attempt to contact minors.

The ACG is also instructed to coordinate with gaming platform developers to quickly flag and remove suspicious accounts.

According to Nartatez, the government is also assessing if existing laws are enough to address such a threat.

The PNP chief also called on parents to monitor the activities of their children online.

“Maging 'digital guardians' po tayo. Huwag nating iwan ang mga bata na sila lang ang kausap ng screen. Alamin ninyo kung sino ang kalaro nila,” Nartatez said.

(Let's be 'digital guardians'. Let's not leave children alone with the screen. Know who they are playing with.)

“Gaming is a social space. If you wouldn't let a stranger into your house, don't let them into your child's headset or chatbox,” he added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News