The Department of Education (DepEd) is working with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to protect students from online terrorist groomers who are allegedly targeting young people through digital platforms, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said Thursday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the EdConnect Higher Education EdTech Summit 2026 in Quezon City, Angara said DepEd lacks the capability to monitor organized online recruitment activities and is relying on law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies for intelligence and monitoring.
“Wala kaming capacity to really monitor the concerted action of terrorist groups, of online groomers, ‘yung mga ganyan. So, nagpapatulong kami diyan sa PNP and DICT,” Angara said.
“They’re on top of it. In fact, we got a briefing from them last week. Sinabihan kami na may mga groups talaga active,” he added.
The move comes as DepEd strengthens school safety measures following recent incidents of violence in public schools.
Angara said authorities have identified online gaming platforms as one of the spaces where terrorist groomers may attempt to contact and recruit minors.
“Doon nila nakakasalamuha ‘yung mga ganoong elemento, na hindi nila aware na ni-recruit na pala sila. Kala nila bata yung kausap nila sa Roblox. Iyon pala, terrorist groomer na pala,” he said.
He urged parents to closely monitor their children’s online activities, noting that students spend much of their day outside school supervision.
“Nananawagan din kami sa mga magulang na bantayan ‘yung online screen time ng mga bata,” Angara said.
At the same time, DepEd has adopted stricter disciplinary rules under DepEd Order No. 006, series of 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment.
Under the new policy, bomb threats, bomb jokes, and bringing or concealing firearms, ammunition, explosives, or bladed weapons in school are classified as third-level offenses, the most serious category.
Schools are required to immediately refer these cases to law enforcement authorities and social welfare agencies for investigation and appropriate intervention.
Other third-level offenses include joining street gangs, inflicting serious physical injuries, bringing illegal drugs or liquor into school, acts of lasciviousness, cheating during examinations, and sharing demeaning or sexually explicit videos involving students or school personnel.
Students found responsible for these offenses may face non-readmission for the following school year or outright exclusion from school, along with mandatory intervention and referral to appropriate government agencies.
The policy also classifies stalking, theft, intimidation, harassment, and repeated acts of violence as second-level offenses, while minor violations such as disruptive behavior, vandalism, swearing, and spreading false information within the school are treated as first-level offenses with corresponding disciplinary measures.
