Gov’t Blocks 2 Websites Luring Kids to Violence

MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has blocked two websites allegedly being used by “groomers” to encourage minors to commit real-world crimes after authorities cited a possible link between these and recent cases of school violence, including three on-campus shootings this year that left eight students dead and at least 28 wounded. The NTC said it received information that the websites were being used to lure children into committing crimes. “The NTC has received information that these websites are being used to lure children into committing crimes,” the agency said in a statement. “We have blocked these websites to protect our children from harm,” it added. The agency did not identify the websites but said they were being used by “groomers” to encourage minors to commit real-world crimes. School violence has been a growing concern in the Philippines, with several incidents reported in recent years. In January, a 16-year-old student was killed and two others were injured in a stabbing incident at a high school in Quezon City. In February, a 15-year-old student died after being shot by a classmate at a school in Manila. In March, a 17-year-old student was killed and three others were injured in a shooting incident at a high school in Davao City. Authorities have been working to address the issue of school violence, but it remains a challenge. Inquirer NewsInfo