Alarming changes in kids? Call 911, PNP urges parents

July 4, 2026 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Parents who notice unusual changes in their children’s behavior may call the 911 system for assistance, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

Early reporting, according to PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, could help prevent minors from being recruited or influenced by extremist groups to commit violent acts.

“We call on parents to closely monitor the online activities of their children. Our 911 is also a help line for the necessary intervention as a result of overexposure to online violence and other online activities,” Nartatez said in a statement.

The appeal came after two juvenile suspects went on a shooting rampage at a school in Tacloban City, killing three students and wounding 20 others. Investigators said the suspects had been exposed to the violent online game GoreBox.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros earlier disclosed that the alleged groomer of the suspects was linked to a transnational online group targeting minors.

Nartatez urged parents to shield their children from online threats like these and immediately report exposure to violent content.

He also ordered police units to coordinate with foreign law enforcement counterparts to identify members of extremist groups allegedly involved in online recruitment.

‘Pranksters’

Amid growing concern over school safety, PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co downplayed many of the recent threats directed at schools, saying they appeared to be the work of pranksters rather than actual attackers.

Co stressed that authorities have not found evidence linking these threats to either the Tacloban shooting or a separate knife attack at a private learning institution in General Trias, Cavite.

He urged the public to remain calm but vigilant and warned against spreading unverified information on social media, saying it only amplifies fear.

The Department of Education likewise warned that spreading false information, disruptive pranks and bomb threats in schools constitutes a serious violation under DepEd Order No. 006, s. 2026, or the Guidelines on Ensuring a Safe and Motivating Learning Environment.

Such acts, according to Education Secretary Sonny Angara, trigger emergency responses, create panic, disrupt classes and may also result in criminal liability under existing laws.

Meanwhile, to further strengthen learner protection, Angara directed schools nationwide to maximize Parent-Teacher Associations in promoting student safety.

“Schools cannot do this alone. Parents cannot do this alone. We are all responsible for the safety of our children,” he said.

While the Department of Justice is studying whether terrorism could be considered an element of nihilistic violent extremism in the Tacloban case, human rights group Karapatan said the incident does not automatically fall under the legal definition of terrorism. — Bella Cariaso, Ghio Ong