MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla has raised the alarm over young people increasingly drawn to extreme violence through harmful online content, urging parents and academic institutions to take an active stance against radicalization.
Speaking on the growing threat of nihilistic violent extremism (NVE)—a concern highlighted following recent violent student incidents in Tacloban City, Zamboanga City, and Banga, South Cotabato—Remulla emphasized that social media is actively warping the mindset and judgment of vulnerable youth.
According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief, countering this rising trend goes beyond internet regulation and law enforcement.
He underscored the indispensable role families and schools play in anchoring young minds with strong values.
“Our faith has to be stronger. Our school has to be reinforced. Our families have to get together,” Remulla said.
“This crisis is not only a crisis of technology. It is not only a crisis of law enforcement. It is a crisis of faith,” he added.
Remulla stressed that preventing NVE must be an ongoing, everyday commitment within homes and classrooms rather than a reactive measure after violence strikes.
He also cautioned parents to closely monitor their children’s digital habits, noting that investigations reveal violent extremists frequently utilize online gaming platforms to groom and radicalize youth.
“Involvement of the parents with how they examine their [child’s] phones on social media activity [matters]. We have to counter [online extremism] with better parenting and better support,” Remulla noted.
To bolster student safety, the DILG and the Department of Education (DepEd) have united to strengthen institutional coordination.
The two agencies recently signed a Joint Memorandum Circular establishing a coordinated security mechanism, which includes deploying barangay tanods around school premises to foster safer learning environments.