Lapu-Lapu City Holds Seminar on Online Threats, Violent Extremism Targeting Children
LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — The City Government of Lapu-Lapu is stepping up efforts to protect children from online threats through a two-day Seminar-Orientation on Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), Child Protection, Prevention, and Early Identification.
The seminar was held on October 19-20 at The Bellavista Hotel in Barangay Pusok.
The activity brought together representatives from the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, Department of Education (DepEd) Lapu-Lapu City Division, City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), and the Federation of Parents and Teachers Association (FPTA).
A total of 180 school personnel and 175 parents and PTA representatives took part. They included public and private school teachers, non-teaching personnel, guidance counselors, child protection officers, and social workers.
What the seminar aims to address
The initiative tackles Nihilistic Violent Extremism, an emerging form of extremism associated with the promotion of violence and self-harm. It also seeks to raise awareness of how minors may be exposed to harmful ideologies through social media platforms, messaging applications, and online gaming communities.
In her message of support, Mayor Cindi King Chan stressed the importance of compassion and collective responsibility in protecting children.
"As a city, we will continue supporting programs that strengthen child protection and help create safer schools and communities. May this seminar give everyone the knowledge and confidence to act early, work together, and protect the welfare and dignity of our children," Mayor Chan said.
She also highlighted the importance of helping schools and families recognize signs of distress, conflict, and other concerns affecting children so they can provide timely support and intervention.
Message from city officials
City Councilor and Committee on Education Chairperson Annabeth Cuizon welcomed the participants and underscored the importance of family involvement and responsible leadership in the digital age.
"As technology is advancing nowadays, should we be frightened as parents, as local leaders?" Cuizon asked.
She encouraged participants to take a more active role in guiding and supporting young people.
"We should be role models sa atong mga bata and there should be parental guidance. I would like to challenge you to look around and tan-awa diha sa inyng mga anak ang kinsay kinahanglan istoryahon. Tagaan lang natu ug limitation ang atung mga anak sa gadget and spend more time sa family to bond," she said.
Cuizon also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the City Government and its partner agencies in strengthening local policies and legislation that support youth protection and development.
Police and cybercrime discussion
Representing Lapu-Lapu City Police Office Chief PCol. Agosto Daskeo, Police Major Reslyn Abella, Acting Chief of the City Community Affairs and Development Unit (CCADU), presented the rationale for the activity.
She outlined the seminar's objectives, which include strengthening participants' understanding of children's behavior, creating safe and supportive environments, improving their ability to recognize warning signs, and promoting early awareness and intervention. Abella said prevention begins with awareness, supportive environments, and the timely recognition of warning signs.
The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group led the technical discussion, with Pat. Vina Vega Articulo, an investigator from the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit VII, serving as resource speaker.
Articulo explained NVE as a process through which individuals, including minors, gradually adopt and internalize violent extremist ideologies through online exposure, interaction, and reinforcement within digital environments.
Authorities stressed that radicalization does not happen overnight. They said early awareness, monitoring, timely intervention, and community collaboration play important roles in preventing the spread of violent extremist ideologies.
Four stages of radicalization
The discussion outlined four stages:
Exposure to extremist content
Engagement in online communities that normalize extremist views
Reinforcement through praise, validation, and a sense of belonging
Escalation toward greater acceptance of violence
Online spaces and key objectives
The seminar also highlighted online environments where children and young people might encounter harmful content or manipulation. These include social media and messaging platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, and Telegram, as well as online games such as Mobile Legends, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, Roblox, Free Fire, and Valorant.
The activity identified five key objectives:
Understand the meaning and characteristics of NVE
Recognize the process and warning signs of online influence and manipulation
Identify factors that make students vulnerable
Promote responsible digital behavior and critical thinking
Encourage timely reporting and appropriate intervention to help prevent violence and protect students
Through the seminar, the City Government aims to strengthen the knowledge, preparedness, and coordination of schools, families, and partner agencies in reporting concerns, referring cases to appropriate authorities, and providing timely intervention to safeguard children in Lapu-Lapu City.
Quick Summary
What: Two-day Seminar-Orientation on Nihilistic Violent Extremism, Child Protection, Prevention, and Early Identification
Where: The Bellavista Hotel, Barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
When: October 19-20
Impact on Visayas: 180 school personnel and 175 parents and PTA representatives in Lapu-Lapu City were equipped to recognize warning signs and act early to protect children
Source: Lapu-Lapu City Information Office