Quezon city: The Department of Education (DepEd) announced its collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to protect students from online terrorist groomers. This initiative follows reports of violence in public schools across the country.
According to Philippines News Agency, DepEd has sought assistance from PNP and DICT to manage modern cyber threats targeting learners. Education Secretary Sonny Angara highlighted the agencies' capability to monitor large-scale online risks. He mentioned that the DepEd lacks the capacity to monitor coordinated actions by terrorist groups and online groomers, necessitating support from PNP and DICT.
Angara urged parents to monitor their children's online activities, especially outside school hours, emphasizing the importance of vigilance during online screen time. Initial assessments indicated that terrorist groomers are using online gaming platforms to recruit youths, with platforms like Roblox being identified as places where such interactions occur.
In response to these threats, the DepEd has introduced guidelines to address critical offenses under DepEd Order (DO) 006, series of 2026, known as the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE). The guidelines classify serious offenses, such as bomb threats, carrying weapons, and joining street gangs, as third-level offenses, which are subject to severe disciplinary actions.
Public schools are mandated to refer grave cases to law enforcement and social welfare agencies for appropriate intervention. Third-level offenses also include cheating, inflicting serious injuries, and sharing inappropriate content, with maximum penalties including non-readmission and exclusion from school.
The ESMLE also categorizes offenses into second and first-level offenses, with penalties ranging from suspensions to written reprimands, depending on the severity of the infraction. These measures aim to ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
