- DOJ XI backs call for new law vs online nihilistic grooming
THE DEPARTMENT of Justice (DOJ) XI backed the call for a new law enforcing strict penalties for adult perpetrators of nihilistic grooming.
Atty. Janet Grace B. Dalisay- Fabrero, DOJ Regional Prosecution Office XI prosecutor, sounded the alarm over a rising cyber community threat known as “nihilism” groups, reportedly targeting Filipino children through online gaming platforms.
“These are children who got involved too much in online gaming, and it turned out that they have already been groomed by Western members also of the group, influencing them to actually do some sort of vengeance on the so-called bullying that they have experienced in their respective schools,” Dalisay-Fabrero told reporters during Kapehan sa Davao on Monday, July 20.
Nihilistic grooming, or more popularly known as NVE (nihilistic violent extremism), refers to the disturbing online trend of targeting vulnerable adolescents and minors over social media or gaming channels. After securing the victims’ trust, they would then force them through threats or extortion to produce violent, self-harm, or graphic content.
Among the most pervasive of these NVEs are No Lives Matter and 764, which surfaced during the Senate investigation into the mass shooting at a Tacloban public high school that killed three and injured 20 others last month.
Because these groups operate in a grey area of cybercrime, Fabrero said these existing frameworks like the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) law do not fully cover non-sexual, violence-driven exploitation.
DOJ XI is working to establish a dedicated technical working group to help draft a new law
inspired by legal frameworks already active in the United States. The proposed legislation aims to define the criminal elements of online nihilistic grooming, establish strict penalties for adult perpetrators, and ensure swift prosecution.
She reported that at least 13 intercepted cases involving Filipino children were documented as early as May during a regional conference in Malaysia.
While the 13 cases did not involve Region XI, Fabrero said there may be individuals involved in these groups.
“Naga-umpisa na na, naa nay mga bata na involved na ani nga klaseng community, but we do not know unsa ka-extent ang ilahang being influenced by this community. But are we going to wait? Muhulat pa ba ta na naatay parehang incident na nahitabo sa Manila na, ‘di ba?” she stressed.
She added that these nihilist networks function similarly to Internet cults, systematically manipulating minors by exploiting their personal grievances, such as experiences with school bullying. The groups also foster a culture of hatred, anger, and revenge, encouraging children to channel their anxieties into real-world violence.
The global phenomenon has already translated into severe real-world consequences, including school bomb threats and mass casualty incidents, pointing to a recent violent incident in Manila where a student attacked classmates.
This incident was later discovered to have been a heavily bullied student influenced by these exact online gaming communities.
The prosecutor also urged parents to move past the misconception that children are entirely safe just because they are staying indoors.
She emphasized that detection of involvement is incredibly difficult, and without proactive parental regulation of gaming platforms, children as young as two to three years old are vulnerable.
“If we start informing the parents about this, maybe we can also awaken ang awareness sa mga ginikanan, mas ma-involve na pod sila mag-regulate anang mga online gaming,” the official stressed.
