The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) on Monday warned the public about the growing threat of “online groomers” allegedly grooming minors to commit acts of violence through social media, online games and messaging platforms.
During an interview on DZRH's Dos Por Dos, CICC Executive Director Undersecretary Aboy Paraiso said online grooming and radicalization could lead to real-world violence, including school shootings and self-harm, as recruiters gradually draw vulnerable minors into closed online communities.
Authorities have identified a pattern in which groomers initially target young people on social media and gaming platforms before moving them to private messaging applications and online communities, including Telegram, Discord, Reddit and Messenger.
“Na-pinpoint na natin at medyo natukoy na natin ‘yung sistema ‘yung pattern kung saan various internet activities ang sangkot dito,” Paraiso said.
He explained that groomers target users based on their interests and vulnerabilities.
“Pagdating sa social media gaming, dito na sila tina-target ng mga tinatawag nating online groomers. Kasi halimbawa mahilig ka sa violence tata-target nila yan dahil naglalaro ka ng violent games. Mahilig ka sa medyo may kalaswaan at target ka ng predators. Pagkatapos non, dinadala ka sa messaging platforms at saka yung mga communities,” he said.
Once recruited into private groups, young people may be assigned tasks involving self-harm or violence, with some activities potentially escalating to threats against schools and other individuals, he said.
Paraiso said authorities face challenges in monitoring these activities because recruiters often operate in closed online communities, where members can be difficult to identify and track.
He added that some groomers allegedly record violent acts and sell the resulting content, making the exploitation of minors a potential source of commercial gain. However, he said the more serious concern was the spread of an “ideology that promotes violence.“
Paraiso also said authorities were coordinating with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding groups believed to be connected to school shootings in the United States.
Beyond school shootings, he warned that self-harm and suicide were also serious concerns among members of radicalized online communities, with potentially more victims affected by these activities.
Online grommers local presence
The CICC chief confirmed that online grooming networks have a local presence in the Philippines, including Filipino recruiters who are themselves minors.
He said partner law enforcement agencies, particularly the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), had apprehended suspects and rescued young victims linked to these activities.
“Napasok na tayo at meron na silang local precense. Meron na rin silang mga local groomers. Ang nakakagulat yung mga local groomers na ‘yan mga menor de edad din. May mga minomonitor tayo. May mga nahuli ang ating partner law enforcement agencies lalong lalo na ang NBI…ilan na yung na-rescue nila na mga batang yan ‘no. So even the groomers pag may metod edad ang treatment natin ano eh ah biktima rin sila nung mga talagang mga groomers na to na which are mga groups outside the country,” he stressed.
According to Paraiso, recruiters often target young people experiencing emotional distress, family problems or a lack of support. They offer a sense of belonging and acceptance, gradually building emotional dependence before assigning tasks.
Through a practice known as “love bombing,” recruiters overwhelm young recruits with praise, attention and validation, making them feel valued within the group and more willing to follow instructions, he said.
“Habang ginagawa mo ‘yung task nila, nafi-feel mo na na sila na yung pamilya mo kasi grabe yung ano eh mga papuri sayo grabeng acceptance sayo umaangat ka sa grupo yun yung pinapafeel sayo,“ Paraiso stressed.
Paraiso also cited the 764 network, which has been associated with online exploitation and violent extremist content. He warned that young recruits may be exposed to increasingly extreme ideologies, including violence and racism, as they become involved in subgroups.
The warning comes amid concerns over the potential links between online radicalization networks and violent incidents involving young people. Authorities and cybersecurity experts have emphasized the importance of investigating online activity and recruitment patterns while establishing the extent of any links to specific groups.
Whole-of-country approach
Paraiso stressed that addressing the threat requires a “whole-of-country approach“ involving parents, schools and law enforcement agencies.
He said technology alone would not be enough to monitor private online communities and prevent recruitment, calling for greater vigilance and cooperation to identify vulnerable young people and protect them from online exploitation and radicalization.
The CICC urged the public, particularly parents and educators, to remain alert to signs that children may be targeted by online groomers and to report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
