Telcos Take Action Against Online Videos That Turn School Violence Into Entertainment
TELCOS – Websites showing horrifying footage of school shootings may soon become inaccessible to more Filipino internet users as major telcos begin a crackdown on extreme online violence.
Telecommunications companies PLDT Inc., Smart Communications Inc., and Globe Telecom have announced efforts to block websites that host or stream footage of school shootings and other forms of extreme violence. The move follows the recent deadly shooting incident at a school in Zamboanga City and is part of a wider push to protect children and other internet users from harmful online content.
On Friday, August 21, Manuel “Manny” V. Pangilinan-led PLDT said it would restrict access to more than 100 websites identified as hosting or streaming videos of school shootings and other violent acts. The measure will also apply to Smart’s network, preventing PLDT and Smart subscribers from accessing the flagged sites.
“This is something we do not tolerate,” PLDT Chief Operating Officer Butch Jimenez said.
“We have decided to ban these kinds of sites preemptively, as soon as they are discovered. Our networks will not be used as a channel for content that glorifies violence and puts our communities, especially our children, at risk,” he added.
Jimenez said PLDT would continue monitoring and identifying similar websites while coordinating with government agencies, child protection groups, and parenting communities. He stressed that the company would act quickly whenever violent content that could endanger communities is discovered.
“There is no debate to be had here, Content that turns real-world violence into entertainment has no place on our networks and in our society, and we will keep acting decisively every time we find it,” he said.
Globe also expressed support for stronger industry action. Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo said telecommunications companies have an important role in making the internet safer, particularly for younger users.
“We have a responsibility to help make the online environment safer, especially for children and young people. As new risks emerge, we need to keep looking at what more we can do,” Castelo said.
“The recent school shooting incident is one opportunity where the industry can work together by removing sites that induce violence in our networks. At Globe, we are ready to do our part and protect children online,” he added.
The initiative came after a 14-year-old student allegedly shot and killed a fellow junior high school student at Ateneo de Zamboanga University before fatally shooting himself. Two other people were injured. According to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the incident was livestreamed through the shooter’s Facebook account and another website.
The tragedy was the country’s second fatal school shooting in less than two months, following the June attack at San Jose National High School in Tacloban City, Leyte, which left three students dead and at least 20 others wounded.
Meanwhile, the Department of Education is preparing to hold a nationwide school safety drill on August 25. Teachers, students, and school personnel will practice their responses to an “active attack” based on their respective contingency plans as authorities continue strengthening school safety measures.
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