Manila: Roblox Corporation will continue its operations in the Philippines as the government moves to impose stricter oversight and child safety requirements on digital platforms, officials said Tuesday. The issue was taken up during a Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality hearing investigating the use of online gaming platforms in the exploitation and radicalization of minors.

According to Philippines News Agency, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) technical consultant Noel Carlo Gracilla stated that the government is pursuing a 'compliance before restriction' approach, allowing the platform to operate while requiring safeguards. Gracilla emphasized that there are ongoing discussions with Roblox Corporation regarding the government's compliance demands.

A formal compliance directive has been issued, mandating robust age verification systems, enhanced content moderation, safeguards against unsupervised interaction between minors and adults, and improved reporting mechanisms. Roblox Vice President for Global Public Policy Nicky Jackson Colaco confirmed that the company is strengthening its safety systems, including the rollout of age-based access controls and stricter parental safeguards.

Law enforcement officials, meanwhile, have flagged cases linking online interactions on the platform to real-world risks. PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group Deputy Director for Operations Romeo Desiderio reported that authorities have conducted six rescue operations involving 19 minors, including a preempted school attack plan in Calamba, Laguna traced back to conversations on Roblox.

Desiderio noted that these cases span multiple areas, including Marikina City, Las Pi±as City, and the provinces of Negros Occidental and Pampanga, with several incidents still under investigation. He added that patrols are being conducted on gaming apps, particularly Roblox, to monitor and mitigate potential threats.