Sen. Risa Hontiveros will lead a Senate inquiry on July 1, 2026 into the fatal Tacloban school shooting and the growing threat of online radicalization and exploitation of children.
The hearing, to be conducted under the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality of the Senate of the Philippines, will examine possible roles of online platforms and gaming spaces in the spread of violent ideologies, grooming, manipulation, and abuse of minors.
“Bilang Chairperson ng Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, muli nating bubuksan sa July 1, 2026 ang Senate hearing para alamin kung may papel ang mga online platforms sa pagkalat ng mararahas na ideya,” Hontiveros said in a statement on Tuesday.
Hontiveros, who also leads the committee, said the investigation will focus on whether digital platforms and online spaces are being used to become “breeding grounds for groups that brainwash and radicalize children.”
She added that lawmakers will assess whether technology companies are doing enough to prevent the misuse of their platforms.
“Titingnan natin ulit kung may sapat bang ginagawa ang lahat ng online platforms para hindi mapagsamantalahan ang mga kabataan,” she added.
The probe follows earlier hearings held on April 14, 2026, where the committee discussed reports that the internet has been used to facilitate sexual abuse and extortion of minors.
Hontiveros said findings from that inquiry also pointed to how online spaces may be used for grooming, manipulation, and radicalization of children, a concern linked to the broader issue of Online radicalization.
“Kung ginagamit ang internet para biktimahin ang mga bata, dapat may managot. Hindi pwedeng kita lang lagi ang iniisip ng Big Tech habang ang ating mga pamilya at paaralan ay nababalot ng trahedya,” Hontiveros said.
The senator emphasized that schools must remain “safe spaces“ for learning and development, free from fear and violence.
“Schools are safe spaces at dapat manatili silang ligtas na lugar upang makapag-aral ang ating mga estudyante nang malaya at walang pangamba,“ she said.
She stressed that authorities should act before more victims are affected.
“Hindi natin hihintayin na magkaroon ng sunod pang biktima bago kumilos. Dapat makapasok ang bawat bata sa paaralan nang ligtas at makauwi rin nang ligtas sa kanilang pamilya,” she added, referencing the importance of safeguarding education environments following the Tacloban school shooting.
