THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a person allegedly linked to the recent school shooting in South Cotabato and a suspected online groomer in Cebu, NBI chief Melvin Matibag said on Thursday.
During a Senate hearing on the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Matibag said the arrests were made as the NBI intensifies its monitoring of cybercrimes, including threats emerging from the deep and dark web.
The Banga National High School shooting on Sept. 18 left three students dead, including the shooter, and eight others injured.
Matibag said the NBI also arrested a suspected online groomer in Cebu.
The NBI chief did not specify the nature of the apprehended individual’s involvement in the incident but said authorities were coordinating with the National Prosecution Service and the DOJ on the case.
Matibag said an estimated seven to eight out of every 10 cases handled by the NBI are either directly or indirectly connected to cybercrimes.
He cited what he described as “nihilistic violence” as one example of a threat that authorities are monitoring online, including activity that may take place on the deep web and dark web.
“We’re doing our best to monitor it,” the NBI chief said.
Matibag told senators that the NBI needs specialized law-enforcement tools to strengthen its monitoring capabilities.
He said such equipment and technology should not necessarily go through ordinary procurement procedures because some of the tools are sensitive and could be considered law-enforcement trade secrets.
Despite the challenges, Matibag said the NBI is coordinating with the DOJ and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the ongoing investigations.
“We’re doing our best, and with the coordination of the DOJ and DSWD, we are making progress on this matter. We will also report the developments to the Senate,” he said.
School-related violence has seen an uptick in the country, with the incident in South Cotabato being the third gun attack inside campuses in only three months.
On June 22, three students were killed and five others were wounded when two suspects, both minors and students, opened fire inside the San Jose National High School campus in Tacloban City, Leyte.
The suspects, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy at the Grade 9 level, were arrested on the same day.
A Glock pistol and a caliber.38 revolver were confiscated from them.
On Aug. 18, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University confirmed that two students, including the Grade 9 student tagged as the shooter, died after another shooting incident.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who chaired the budget hearing, expressed concern over the reported prevalence of school violence.
Pangilinan said the incidents had prompted questions about whether some of the attacks could be organized, syndicated or coordinated.
He said such activity could potentially be intended to create chaos, instability and fear, while making the government appear weak.
“The occurrence of three mass shootings is unusual and had never happened before, leading many to suspect that these incidents may have been organized, syndicated and carefully coordinated,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan also pointed to the role of online disinformation, citing his own experience during the previous election campaign.
Matibag vowed to be on top of the investigation but said additional budget could help the agency strengthen its monitoring of online threats and respond more quickly to potential attacks.
The NBI is seeking P1 billion in confidential funds, which Matibag said could be used to procure tools and equipment needed to combat criminal activities, particularly cybercrime.
Matibag also told the Senate that the NBI is preparing a legislative framework for submission to both the Senate and the House of Representatives that would introduce what the agency calls “age-gating.” Under the proposed approach, access to social media and other cyber platforms would be regulated or monitored based on a user’s age.
Matibag said the NBI also needs additional funding for trust-assessment analytics and other capabilities needed to identify potential threats.
He emphasized the importance of coordination with schools, particularly in validating threats and developing appropriate school responses.
THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has arrested a person allegedly linked to the recent school shooting in South Cotabato and a suspected online groomer in Cebu, NBI chief Melvin Matibag said on Thursday.
During a Senate hearing on the proposed 2027 budget of the Department of Justice (DOJ), Matibag said the arrests were made as the NBI intensifies its monitoring of cybercrimes, including threats emerging from the deep and dark web.
The Banga National High School shooting on Sept. 18 left three students dead, including the shooter, and eight others injured.
Matibag said the NBI also arrested a suspected online groomer in Cebu.
The NBI chief did not specify the nature of the apprehended individual’s involvement in the incident but said authorities were coordinating with the National Prosecution Service and the DOJ on the case.
Matibag said an estimated seven to eight out of every 10 cases handled by the NBI are either directly or indirectly connected to cybercrimes.
He cited what he described as “nihilistic violence” as one example of a threat that authorities are monitoring online, including activity that may take place on the deep web and dark web.
“We’re doing our best to monitor it,” the NBI chief said.
Matibag told senators that the NBI needs specialized law-enforcement tools to strengthen its monitoring capabilities.
He said such equipment and technology should not necessarily go through ordinary procurement procedures because some of the tools are sensitive and could be considered law-enforcement trade secrets.
Despite the challenges, Matibag said the NBI is coordinating with the DOJ and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on the ongoing investigations.
“We’re doing our best, and with the coordination of the DOJ and DSWD, we are making progress on this matter. We will also report the developments to the Senate,” he said.
School-related violence has seen an uptick in the country, with the incident in South Cotabato being the third gun attack inside campuses in only three months.
On June 22, three students were killed and five others were wounded when two suspects, both minors and students, opened fire inside the San Jose National High School campus in Tacloban City, Leyte.
The suspects, a 14-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy at the Grade 9 level, were arrested on the same day.
A Glock pistol and a caliber.38 revolver were confiscated from them.
On Aug. 18, the Ateneo de Zamboanga University confirmed that two students, including the Grade 9 student tagged as the shooter, died after another shooting incident.
Sen. Francis Pangilinan, who chaired the budget hearing, expressed concern over the reported prevalence of school violence.
Pangilinan said the incidents had prompted questions about whether some of the attacks could be organized, syndicated or coordinated.
He said such activity could potentially be intended to create chaos, instability and fear, while making the government appear weak.
“The occurrence of three mass shootings is unusual and had never happened before, leading many to suspect that these incidents may have been organized, syndicated and carefully coordinated,” Pangilinan said.
Pangilinan also pointed to the role of online disinformation, citing his own experience during the previous election campaign.
Matibag vowed to be on top of the investigation but said additional budget could help the agency strengthen its monitoring of online threats and respond more quickly to potential attacks.
The NBI is seeking P1 billion in confidential funds, which Matibag said could be used to procure tools and equipment needed to combat criminal activities, particularly cybercrime.
Matibag also told the Senate that the NBI is preparing a legislative framework for submission to both the Senate and the House of Representatives that would introduce what the agency calls “age-gating.” Under the proposed approach, access to social media and other cyber platforms would be regulated or monitored based on a user’s age.
Matibag said the NBI also needs additional funding for trust-assessment analytics and other capabilities needed to identify potential threats.
He emphasized the importance of coordination with schools, particularly in validating threats and developing appropriate school responses.
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