Senator Hontiveros sounds alarm; pushes for child protection, political reforms at Manila forum

MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday, July 2, 2026, warned that the dangerous Neonistic Violent Extremism (NVE) ideology and the shadowy “764” movement have reached the Philippines, branding them as serious threats to national security and the safety of Filipino children.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Prince Hotel, hosted by former Senator Atty. Joey Lina and former Presidential Communications Secretary Sonny Coloma, Hontiveros said the threat is no longer just foreign.

“These groups originated in Texas, USA, where the FBI has already issued urgent warnings to parents. They have now spread across Asia—and they are here in the Philippines. This is not paranoia. This is a verified threat to our national security, and we must act now,” Hontiveros stated.

Gaming Platforms Used for Radicalization

Citing briefings from security and child protection experts just a day before the forum, Hontiveros revealed how malign actors exploit popular platforms like Roblox to recruit, groom, and radicalize minors.

“NVE and the 764 group use online games to desensitize children to violence and push extremist views. We are seeing links between these influences and rising cases of school violence—not just the incident in Tacloban, but in many other parts of the country,” she explained.

The senator urged urgent legislative action: “We need strict safeguards and mandatory protocols for all digital spaces. We must either strengthen existing laws or pass new legislation to stop these groups from using our children as tools for harm.”

Anti-Political Dynasty Bill: Long Overdue

Hontiveros also reiterated her strong support for the immediate passage of the Anti-Political Dynasty Bill, pointing to clear examples within the Senate itself.

“Look at our chamber today—we have the Cayetano, Estrada, Villar, and Tulfo brothers serving side-by-side. When power stays within the same families generation after generation, ordinary citizens are shut out. True democracy demands fair competition, not family monopolies,” she emphasized.

Opposing Lower Age of Criminal Liability

On proposals to lower the age of criminal liability—even for children accused of heinous crimes against other children—Hontiveros stood firm against the measure.

Answering former Senator Lina’s question on the state of the Juvenile Justice System, she said: “You cannot punish children when the support system meant to rehabilitate them does not even exist. Most provinces, cities, and municipalities still do not have a fully functional Bahay Pag-asa. We cannot send children to jail when we have nowhere to help them change.”

Former Secretary Coloma also underscored the funding crisis: “Many national mandates—from youth rehabilitation to drug treatment—are unfunded. Local governments cannot do it alone; national policy must come with the budget to back it up.”

Call for Unified Action

Hontiveros closed by calling on all sectors to collaborate:

“Government agencies, schools, internet providers, social media platforms, parents, and communities—we must all work hand in hand. Protecting our children from online extremism and fixing our broken systems is everyone’s responsibility.”