TELECOM giant PLDT Inc. and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications are moving to block over 100 websites streaming school shootings and extreme violence, a decision coinciding with a recent gun recovery incident involving a minor at a Cebu school.
PLDT announced network-level blocking to prevent access across all PLDT and Smart subscribers.
The company stated the list of blocked domains will continuously expand in coordination with government regulators, child protection advocacy groups, and local parenting communities.
“This is something we do not tolerate,” said PLDT Chief Operating Officer Butch Jimenez. “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.”
Jimenez emphasized that content turning real-world violence into entertainment has no place in society, noting that the telecom provider will act decisively whenever such material is detected online.
The move expands on the PLDT Group’s existing network safeguards, which already include automated blocking of child sexual abuse and exploitation material.
The heightened focus on youth safety follows an incident on August 20, 2026, in Pinamungajan, Cebu, where local authorities recovered an unloaded firearm from a Grade 9 student’s backpack during a routine school bag inspection.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) took custody of the firearm, which allegedly belongs to the student’s grandfather.
In compliance with Republic Act No. 9344, or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act, the minor was turned over to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office for proper intervention and support.
Commending the school staff for their vigilance and rapid reporting, the PNP urged parents, guardians, and gun owners to secure all weapons away from children.
Authorities emphasized that proactive community coordination and strict digital safeguarding are both vital to maintaining safe learning environments nationwide.
