The Philippine National Police (PNP) is exploring the possibility of adapting or expanding upon Australia’s social media ban for minors as part of efforts to counter online radicalization and prevent school violence.
PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. raised the initiative following the conclusion of the 44th Association of Southeast Asian Nations Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL) conference in Pasay City on Saturday.
The event marked a milestone for the organization, as delegates discussed school shootings alongside topics like human trafficking and the online exploitation of children for the first time.
“Upon coordination, upon talks, meetings with our neighboring countries as well as our dialogue partners, mayroon silang ibang batas and we’ll try to consider,” Nartatez said in a press briefing.
“If other nations are looking after the law in Australia, pwede naman natin gayahin din or will improve.”
Australia, a dialogue partner for the conference, recently enacted legislation barring individuals aged 16 and under from using social media platforms.
Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay, PNP director for investigation and detective management, noted that the police force is evaluating a formal recommendation to Congress to restrict underage social media access, a concept inspired by Australia’s policy during ASEANAPOL discussions.
“It was agreed that perhaps we can borrow certain legislation to prevent the issue of social media and other platforms that are accessible to our children,” Baccay explained.
The push follows a deadly June school shooting in Tacloban City that resulted in three student deaths and 20 injuries. PNP investigators linked the two underage suspects to prolonged exposure to online violence via social media and the video game GoreBox.
In response, Nartatez directed all police units to execute ASEANAPOL resolutions on intelligence sharing, cybercrime investigations, and anti-scam efforts.
Centered on the theme “United in Vision: Securing People and Strengthening Collaboration,” the Philippine-hosted conference brought together police leadership from ASEANAPOL member states, 12 dialogue partners, and 11 observer groups.
Participants endorsed strategic agreements to combat cybercrime, terrorism, illegal drugs, human trafficking, and weapons smuggling.
Additionally, delegates backed the continuous modernization of the Electronic ASEANAPOL Database System (e-ADS) alongside joint initiatives in police training, forensics, and the ASEAN Police Combat Operational Task Force 2026-2028.