The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) has given Reddit and Discord 24 hours to designate local representatives in the Philippines, warning that the platforms could face restrictions or blocking if they fail to comply.
In separate letters dated Sept. 21, the CICC directed the US-based platforms to appoint a resident agent or local representative who could facilitate Philippine jurisdiction and coordinate with local authorities.
The directive does not necessarily require Reddit and Discord to establish full physical offices within 24 hours, although the CICC’s announcement described the order as a demand for the platforms to establish a Philippine presence.
The agency said failure or refusal to comply within the prescribed period could prompt regulatory action, including restrictions on their operations or the blocking of user access in the country.
“We are not asking platforms to police the internet for the government but to be reachable, accountable, and responsive when activities on their platforms put Filipino children and communities at risk. When an online threat spills over into the real world, there has to be a clear channel for authorities to act,” CICC executive director Renato Paraiso said.
The ultimatum followed the Sept. 18 shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, the third school shooting reported in the country in recent months.
The CICC linked the directive to concerns that online platforms are being used to spread violent extremist content and ideologies and to exploit minors.
The agency also ordered Reddit and Discord to explain their existing safety arrangements and submit implementation plans covering improved safety standards, faster response mechanisms, and age-verification or age-assurance measures.
It wants the platforms to participate in a government framework addressing online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, child sexual abuse or exploitation materials, and nihilistic violent extremism.
The CICC has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to arrange discussions involving Meta, Reddit, Discord, and other online platforms on threats associated with violence and child exploitation.
The government earlier met with representatives of Meta and Roblox to form a technical working group tasked with discussing stronger child-safety controls, faster content takedowns, and age-verification measures.
