MANILA—President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is ready to exercise ‘strong political will’ by imposing ban on select mobile apps and social media platforms that don’t conform with government standards and requirements that safeguard safety of school students.
“Kailangan na ring gamitin ang strong political will ng pangulo sa mga maaaring pasaway na mga social media platforms na hindi tumutulong sa pamahalaan na sugpuin ang ganitong karahasan. Maaaring maapektuhan ang iilan dahil sa paghihigpit na ito ng pamahalaan, ngunit kailangang gawin ang pagbabawal ng paggamit ng ibang apps, maliban na lang kung susunod sila sa panuntunan ng pamahalaan para maprotektahan ang kabataan,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said during her press briefing held in Batac City on Friday.
While such measures could affect some users, Castro said protecting young people and preventing violence should remain the priority.
“May maaaring masakripisyo, may iilang maaapektuhan, pero may masasagip tayong buhay dahil sa pagpapatupad natin ng polisiya at kautusan ng administrasyon,” the official said.
Ahead of this, she said the president convened a meeting on school safety and security at Malacañang on September 23 amid concerns over violent attacks involving young students and the influence of harmful online content.
Among those who briefed the President were Education Secretary Sonny Angara, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Social Welfare Secretary Rex Gatchalian, Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda, Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., and Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center Executive Director Renato Paraiso.
Officials discussed the vast reach of social media content linked to nihilistic violent extremism, which authorities identified as a factor observed in adolescent school attacks in several countries, including Ukraine, Canada, Thailand, Russia, Italy, Türkiye and the United States.
“Halos pare-pareho ang senyales; may pattern ang mga insidente. Kinakailangang maipaalam sa mga magulang, school personnel, mga guro, sa barangay, at sa lahat kung ano ang mga red flags, mga senyales,para maalarma ang mga nasa paligid kung may kabataan na nagpapakita ng nakaakbang karahasan,” Castro said.
She said the enemy is unknown.
“Hindi natin nakikita ang mga salarin na groomers dahil ka-chat na pala sila ng mga kabataan online. Para silang masamang espiritu na pinopossess ang murang kaisipan ng mga kabataan,” the official said.
Barangay officials are also expected to play a larger role in the government's efforts to prevent youth violence because of their familiarity with residents and communities.
“Pakikilusin ng pamahalaan ang mga barangay officials natin. Malaki ang kanilang papel at magiging ambag sa pagsugpo ng mga karahasang nangyayari sa ating mga kabataan,” the official added.