CHILD SAFETY VS ONLINE THREATS: PNP backs 2 child-safety bills amid school violence

By JORDAN DOMINGO

The Philippine National Police (PNP) supports two Senate-approved measures seeking to strengthen safeguards for children in schools and online, amid growing concerns over campus violence and digital threats.

The proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act and Sagip Bata Act have also drawn support from parents, teachers, barangay officials, church and business leaders in various municipalities in Camarines Sur, who see the measures as additional safeguards for children and students.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police organization is ready to work with the Department of Education (DepEd), local governments and communities to ensure that schools remain secure and protective environments for learners.

The PNP statement came amid renewed concerns over school violence following the Sept. 18 shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato that left two students dead and several others wounded.

Senate Bill No. 2426, or the proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act, seeks to establish a National School Safety Framework covering the prevention of, response to, and recovery from threats and incidents in schools.

The measure would also require schools to develop localized safety plans that may include CCTV cameras, counseling and psychological support, emergency response mechanisms, additional security measures and anonymous reporting systems.

The proposed Sagip Bata Act, or Senate Bill No. 1819, meanwhile, seeks to strengthen protection against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, including grooming, luring, sexual extortion, image-based abuse, livestreamed exploitation and technology-enabled abuse involving children.

Nartatez said the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group is intensifying its monitoring of online platforms where children may be groomed, exploited or recruited, while strengthening digital forensics, evidence preservation and coordination with service providers.

For the parents, teachers, barangay officials, church and business leaders, and police personnel in Camarines Sur who expressed support for the measures, stronger cooperation among families, schools, communities and authorities is essential in addressing threats to children.

The PNP has likewise urged students experiencing threats, bullying, grooming or abuse to report the incidents and seek assistance from authorities.

The police organization said it would continue increasing its presence in schools while strengthening efforts to address threats against children in both physical and digital spaces.

The proposed Comprehensive School Safety Act and Sagip Bata Act have also drawn support from parents, teachers, barangay officials, church leaders, business leaders, and PNP personnel in various municipalities in Camarines Sur, who see the measures as additional safeguards for children and students. They asked that their names not be disclosed.