JuanHand, in partnership with the University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P), brought together key stakeholders from different sectors for “Addressing School-Based Violence: A Multisectoral Forum on Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE),” held on November 6, 2026, at the Dizon Auditorium of UA&P in Ortigas, Pasig City.
The forum highlighted the growing concern over school-based violence and the need for stronger collaboration among schools, families, communities, and institutions to address the emerging threat of Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE) and create safer learning environments for Filipino students.
Led by JuanHand President and CEO Francisco Roberto “Coco” Mauricio, the forum brought together government officials, law enforcement agencies, educators, child protection advocates, and other stakeholders to discuss ways to prevent and address school-based violence. Established in the Philippines in 2019, JuanHand is a Philippine subsidiary of FinVolution Group, a financial technology company listed on the New York Stock Exchange. It aims to address gaps in access to financial services, particularly for underserved yet creditworthy Filipinos.
“Our purpose is to give more Filipinos a reliable helping hand when they need it,” Mauricio said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to making financial assistance more accessible through technology and helping Filipinos sustain livelihoods, manage urgent expenses, and pursue opportunities. This commitment also extends to consumer protection and digital safety.
Mauricio explained that the forum was initiated out of a shared responsibility to protect children from emerging threats. “We initiated this forum because we believe we have a shared responsibility to help keep children safe. Schools should be places where young people can learn and develop with confidence. Protecting that environment requires the involvement of families, educators, government, law enforcement, and the private sector,” he said.
The forum aimed to connect the different stages of prevention and response, from recognizing warning signs and reporting concerns to investigation, prosecution, child protection, and care.
Principal Security Architect and Dark Web and Intelligence Strategist Brian Borysewich provided an overview of Nihilistic Violent Extremism (NVE), describing it as an emerging online-driven form of violence that promotes chaos and destruction. “This is an emerging online-driven form of violence that promotes chaos and destruction. This targets children aged 7 to 15 by manipulating their mindsets and behavior and recruiting them to commit violent acts, including those that may occur in school settings,” Borysewich shared.
Among the key government officials present were Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla and Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny M. Angara, who highlighted the importance of strengthening protective measures for young people.
Secretary Remulla shared his observations on cases involving children who had undergone psychiatric consultations and guidance counseling, with their families also involved.
“Parents and adults must establish daily and open communication lines with their children to monitor their online activities to help prevent radicalization,” said Secretary Remulla. “Dapat araw-araw pinag-uusapan sa eskwelahan. Dapat araw-araw pinag-uusapan sa bahay. Dapat araw-araw pinag-uusapan sa pamilya.”
Meanwhile, Secretary Angara emphasized the importance of securing schools and strengthening relationships within educational communities by saying, “It is absolutely necessary that we secure our schools, and we need to build stronger communities. We need to build better relationships with our learners,” Angara said. The forum also featured two panel discussions tackling different aspects of school-based violence.
The first panel, “Online Threats, Offline Consequences: Investigating and Prosecuting School-Based Violence,” was moderated by Atty. Concepcion Lagos, Program Director and Vice Dean of the School of Politics and Governance at UA&P. It featured Atty. Ian Norman E. Dato of the Department of Justice (DOJ); Col. Alan Lito S. Arao-Arao (Ret.) of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC); Ma. Rosalie S. Laguarda of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); PCPT Vince Joshua P. Garcia of the Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group; and Ronald Gustilo of Digital Pinoys.
The second panel, “Recognizing the Signs: Early Intervention Against School-Based Violence,” brought together Atty. Razzel Anne T. Requesto of the Department of Education (DepEd); Janice Tapil of Child Rights Coalition Asia; Elvis R. Quitalig of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD); and content creator and parenting mentor Mariel Kliatchko.
Also in attendance was Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro, alongside representatives from government agencies, the academe, civil society organizations, and the private sector. In his closing remarks, Mauricio emphasized the importance of bringing different sectors together to promote
