Marilyn Cahatol

Citizens use their phones in Quezon City amid the modified enhanced community quarantine on August 16, 2020. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

MECQ against COVID-19

Zyann Ambrosio

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/178763809587520200816-covid19-quarantine-phones-1535-MD.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Citizens use their phones in Quezon City amid the modified enhanced community quarantine on August 16, 2020.<em> Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is conducting a parallel investigation into the incident at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, as it looks into possible links with monitored online groups allegedly involved in grooming and planning future attacks.</p><p>NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the agency is reviewing CCTV footage and gathering intelligence reports to determine the identities and motivations of individuals who may have participated in spreading the actual shooting video online.</p><p>The NBI chief is set to meet with officials of Meta in Singapore to raise concerns over the circulation of violent content online and the possible role of online communities in influencing minors.</p><p>“Tomorrow, I&#x27;ll be flying to Singapore to have a meeting with Meta. Yung mga taga-Meta, this is high-level meeting. Meta from the US, yung mga officials sila, and for the Asian region, will be attending that meeting. And I will ask those questions.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/8/19/meta-hooked-children-and-misled-public-prosecutors-0854">Meta hooked children and misled public—prosecutors</a></div><p>Matibag said the NBI wants clear answers on who viewed, shared, and possibly encouraged the dissemination of the actual shooting footage.</p><p>“I will ask the questions, bakit nag ganito. And probably medyo kailangan mas matigas siguro yung stand natin ngayon because what possible is yung pag-live ng actual shooting eh. So I want to know who are the people watching, sino yung nag-share, and what is the reason for sharing.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>GROOMERS</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>The NBI is also investigating online groups allegedly targeting young individuals through grooming tactics.</p><p>According to Matibag, the bureau had monitored similar online activities even before the Zamboanga incident, including groups allegedly planning future actions. </p><p>“Yung mga groomers na ito, back sa Tacloban pa lang, nakita na ng NBI ito eh. Nakita na namin, sinusundan na namin ito, and we already have an initial report doon na mauulit pa&#x27;t may mangyayari. At nangyayari nga.”</p><p>He said the NBI has gained access to information involving an online group with thousands of members, mostly Filipinos, with some members reportedly from other countries.</p><p>“Libo eh. Oo, group chat. Establish nila. Mayroong members na ibang countries but mostly mga Filipino.”</p><p>Matibag revealed that the group allegedly used an online system where members were given tasks as part of an initiation process.</p><p>“Exactly. The initiation, parang you will be promoted. Meron silang tenets, may parang Bible sila, na pag nagawa mo ito, mapo-promote ka (redacted) mae-elevate to sainthood.”</p><p>He stressed that the NBI is still validating evidence and has yet to establish a direct connection between the monitored groups and the Zamboanga incident.</p><p>“That&#x27;s a possibility but I&#x27;m not saying na yun yun because we have to look into the evidence.”</p><p>The NBI chief also appealed for greater vigilance among parents, schools, and communities, warning that online grooming remains a growing threat to children.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/beyond-school-security-angara-urges-communities-to-check-in-on-students-1530">Beyond school security: Angara urges communities to check in on students</a></div><p>“Ang laban natin dito, hindi lang law enforcement doon. Nagsisimula nga ito sa bawat bahay ng bawat pamilya at bantayan po natin yung ating mga anak.”</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PLEA TO PARENTS<br/></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Matibag urged parents to monitor their children’s online activities and limit exposure to potentially harmful online spaces.</p><p>“Appealing to the parents again and again, malaki po yung contribution ninyo para hindi nangyayari. Bantayan po natin yung mga anak natin, tingnan natin doon nakalagay sa mga gadgets nila. As much as possible, if we can limit the use of gadgets.”</p><p>He added that addressing the issue requires a whole-of-community approach involving government agencies, families, schools, and other institutions.</p><p>The NBI also called on parents who own firearms to practice responsible gun ownership and prevent possible misuse.</p><p>“Yung mga parents na may guns, please be responsible. Because kung mangyayari ulit yan at isa sa mga anak nyo ma-involve ulit, bukod sa maaaring mawalan ng anak, makasakit yung inyong anak, we will also make you responsible for being irresponsible.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/19/ateneo-school-shooter-took-2-guns-from-customs-exec-father-s-car-boc-chief-1016">Zamboanga school shooter took 2 guns from Customs exec father’s car–BOC chief</a></div><p>Matibag said the NBI will continue its investigation and coordinate with Meta, DICT, CICC, and other government offices to address the emerging threat.</p><p>Matibag said after the meeting in Singapore, they might come out with possible solutions or changes in implementing the rules on social media exposure of children 16 years old and below, as some countries are already banning teens from social media.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2026/8/11/experts-weigh-social-media-age-limit-amid-debate-on-how-to-keep-children-safe-online-1942">Experts weigh social media age limit amid debate on how to keep children safe online</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dlV20lNLwCw?si=xjVtArxzXszpfJzj" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>

<p>NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the agency is reviewing CCTV footage and gathering intelligence reports to determine the identities and motivations of individuals who may have participated in spreading the actual shooting video online.</p>

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the agency is reviewing CCTV footage and gathering intelligence reports to determine the identities and motivations of individuals who may have participated in spreading the actual shooting video online.

NBI to ask Meta 'who watched, shared' Zamboanga school shooting livestream

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NBI to ask Meta 'who watched, shared' Zamboanga school shooting livestream

Zyann Ambrosio,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 25, 2026 02:24 PM PHT

Read More:

National Bureau of Investigation

school shooting

group chat

grooming

social media

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