DepEd collabs with PNP, DICT vs. online terrorist groomers

MANILA – The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said it is working with other government agencies to protect learners from possible schemes of online terrorist groomers.

This comes following consecutive reports of violence in the country’s public schools.

In particular, the DepEd sought the assistance of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to handle modern cyber threats.

In an interview, Education Secretary Sonny Angara said these agencies can monitor the large-scale online risks against learners.

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“Wala kaming (We don’t have the) capacity to really monitor the concerted action of terrorist groups, of online groomers, ‘yung mga ganyan. So, nagpapatulong kami diyan sa (things like that. So, we are asking for help from the) PNP and DICT,” he said at the sidelines of EdConnect Higher Education EdTech Summit 2026 in Quezon City.

“They’re on top of it. In fact, we got a briefing from them last week. Sinabihan kami na may mga groups talaga active (We were warned that there are really active groups),” he added.

The education chief urged parents to closely watch their children’s online engagements, especially during off-school hours.

“Nananawagan din kami sa mga magulang na bantayan ‘yung online screen time ng mga bata (We are calling on parents to look after their children during their online screen time),” Angara said, citing that children only spend eight hours in campuses.

An initial assessment revealed that some active terrorist groomers are utilizing online gaming platforms to recruit youth.

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“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 (That’s where they encounter those elements, that unknowingly they are being recruited. They thought they were talking with fellow kids in Roblox. But they are already terrorist groomers),” Angara said.

Critical offenses

The DepEd, meanwhile, imposed streamlined guidelines to address critical offenses as part of its safety measures under DepEd Order (DO) 006, series of 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE).

In particular, the agency classifies bomb threats or jokes and carrying and concealing deadly weapons such as firearms, ammunition, explosives, and bladed weapons as third-level offenses, subject to the most severe disciplinary classification.

All public schools are ordered to immediately refer these grave cases to law enforcement authorities and social welfare agencies for appropriate handling and interventions.

Other third-level offenses include joining street gangs, cheating during exams, inflicting serious physical injuries, whether inside or outside the school, bringing illegal drugs and liquor, acts of lasciviousness, and sharing demeaning and sexual videos of oneself or other learners and school personnel.

Erring learners will be subject to maximum administrative penalties, non-readmission or exclusion, alongside automatic referral to law enforcement and other appropriate agencies, and provision of interventions.

Under non-readmission, the erring learner is prohibited from being admitted for the following school year, but is allowed to complete the current school year.

A learner, however, is immediately dropped from the class list of the school under the penalty of exclusion, with learning continuity allowed only through appropriate educational interventions.

Moreover, other offenses will be dealt with according to severity under the ESMLE.

Second-level offenses cover severe or repeated behaviors that go beyond minor infractions, including stalking, inflicting slight physical injuries, theft, intimidation, and harassment.

Penalties include mandatory suspensions on the first offense, non-readmission on the second offense, and exclusion on the third offense.

First-level offenses, meanwhile, involve minor infractions.

These involve uttering profanities or swear words inside school premises, simple vandalism, disruptive behavior, and sharing false information that can create confusion or commotion in the school, which subjects violators to a written reprimand, a summons to parents, and suspension. (PNA)

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