NBI-7 uncovers alleged online grooming tied to planned school shooting

Local

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy is facing criminal charges after investigators from the National Bureau of Investigation- Central Visayas (NBI-7) uncovered online communications allegedly grooming minors for violent activities, including a planned school shooting.

The investigation began in August this year after foreign counterparts shared intelligence about a possible mass-shooting incident in a school setting, prompting the agency to investigate a suspected online group operating through chat platforms.

The NBI-7 said the group had discussed violent extremist ideas and was planning an incident for December or early next year, said lawyer Dominador Cimafrinca, director at NBI-7, in a press briefer on Friday, Oct. 23.

“An in-depth investigation was conducted, and they found out that this groomer is engaged and is based in Cebu and is the administrator and member of a chat group that is engaged in uh violent extremist ideas,” Cimafranca told reporters.

Investigators identified a user known as “Kulas” as an administrator and participant in the group. The suspect allegedly used multiple online identities and engaged in conversations involving weapons, mass shootings, violent activities and other graphic content.

On Sept. 22, the NBI-7 applied for a warrant to search, seize and examine computer data before the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City.

Agents from the NBI Special Action Unit and NBI-7 served the warrant on Sept. 23 at a residence in Sitio Care, Purok 8, Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City.

Several electronic devices were seized during the operation.

An initial examination of the devices allegedly revealed that Kulas was actively communicating with other members and administrators of the group. The messages reportedly included attempts to groom minors and encourage participation in violent and unlawful activities.

The NBI-7 also reported finding artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse material during the investigation.

The agency said the communications suggested that the alleged grooming involved more than recruiting members into an online community. Investigators believed the exchanges showed efforts to condition participants for the group's stated objective of committing violence.

The teenager, classified as a child in conflict with the law, is now under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Central Visayas for appropriate intervention.

Charges were filed against him for alleged violations of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, in relation to the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

NBI-7 also stressed that parents should play a more active role in protecting children from harmful online influences, particularly as young people spend more time on social media, gaming platforms and online chat groups.

“We have to reduce the screen time of our children. If it's not related to any academic assignment, if it's just gaming, please reduce their screen time,” said agent Maria Contessa Lastimoso.

She added that schools and law enforcement agencies have limitations in preventing online threats without timely information from families and communities.

“The school can only do so much. The law enforcement agencies, we do reactive policies,” said Lastimoso.

Likewise, NBI-7 said community cooperation and parental supervision remain important in identifying potential threats before they escalate. The agency also conducts school visits to educate students about online safety and responsible behavior.

“It's important that you guard yourself while online, but it's more important that we have to go back to our values, our family values,” Lastimoso said.(RBE)