The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said it is working with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to strengthen protection measures for learners against possible schemes of online terrorist groomers, amid a series of reported violence in public schools.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department lacks the capacity to independently monitor large-scale cyber threats targeting students, particularly those involving coordinated online recruitment activities.
“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 during the EdConnect Higher Education EdTech Summit 2026 in Quezon City.
He said the two agencies are already assisting DepEd in tracking online risks involving minors.
“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.
Angara also called on parents to closely monitor their children’s online activity, particularly during non-school hours.
“Nananawagan din kami sa mga magulang na bantayan ‘yung online screen time ng mga bata, ” he said, noting that students spend only limited hours inside classrooms while spending more time online at home.
He cited initial assessments showing that some online terrorist groomers are using gaming platforms to target and recruit young users.
“Doon nila nakakasalamuha ‘yung mga ganoong elemento… Kala nila bata yung kausap nila sa Roblox. Iyon pala, terrorist groomer na pala,” Angara said.
Alongside these concerns, DepEd said it has also issued strengthened guidelines under DepEd Order No. 006, series of 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment (ESMLE), which classifies school-related offenses into different levels with corresponding penalties.
Under the policy, third-level or most serious offenses include bomb threats or jokes, carrying or concealing firearms, explosives, ammunition, or bladed weapons, as well as joining street gangs, cheating during examinations, inflicting serious physical injuries whether inside or outside school, bringing illegal drugs or liquor, acts of lasciviousness, and sharing demeaning and sexual videos of oneself or other learners and school personnel.
DepEd said all public schools are instructed to immediately refer such grave cases to law enforcement authorities and social welfare agencies for proper handling and intervention.
Learners found guilty of third-level offenses may face maximum administrative penalties, including non-readmission or exclusion, alongside automatic referral to relevant agencies and provision of interventions.
Under non-readmission, a learner is barred from enrollment for the following school year but is still allowed to complete the current school year.
Exclusion, meanwhile, results in immediate removal from the school’s official roster, although learners may continue education through appropriate interventions.
The policy also defines second-level offenses as severe or repeated misconduct, including stalking, slight physical injuries, theft, intimidation, and harassment.
Penalties include mandatory suspension for the first offense, non-readmission for the second offense, and exclusion for the third offense.
First-level offenses cover minor violations such as profanity inside school premises, simple vandalism, disruptive behavior, and spreading false information that may cause confusion or disruption.
These carry penalties of written reprimand, parental summons, and suspension.
DepEd said the framework aims to maintain a safe and disciplined learning environment while ensuring that interventions are provided alongside disciplinary actions for affected learners.
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