Following a tragic shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, marking the country’s third campus gun incident since June, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday called for the immediate passage of the Sagip Bata Act to equip law enforcement against Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE).
“Huwag po nating payagan na masabotahe ang pagpasa ng batas na ito. We cannot afford to delay any longer. Habang hindi ito napapasa, napipilayan ang ating mga law enforcers sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng NVE sa bansa,” Hontiveros said.
The lawmaker underscored that the proposed legislation would empower investigators to officially request traffic and subscriber data for NVE-related inquiries, enhance collaboration with overseas police agencies and bolster capabilities for undercover digital operations and intelligence gathering.
“Huwag nating hayaang pakalat-kalat lang ang mga groomers online nang walang takot. Ipakita natin na mahuhuli sila at mananagot sa kasamaang dinudulot nila sa ating mga anak. These groomers have to pay the price,” she said.
The draft law incorporates age-verification and age-assurance protocols, while placing expanded compliance mandates on technology firms. Under the measure, online services must assign a Philippine-based legal representative authorized to accept subpoenas, account information requests, as well as account takedown and blocking mandates.
Hontiveros emphasized that the Sagip Bata Act, aimed at reinforcing the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act, remains a priority bill under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council.
“Inaasahan kong kapag naipasa na ito sa Senado ngayong araw, dapat mabilis na ang tuluyang pagsabatas nito. Government should not let the interests of anyone get in the way of this bill’s passage. May responsibilidad tayo na protektahan ang ating kabataan, at wala tayong dapat ipagpaliban pa,” Hontiveros concluded.