Philippine cybercrime agency gives Reddit and Discord 24 hours to name a local representative or face restrictions

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center has given Reddit and Discord 24 hours to designate a resident agent or local representative in the Philippines, warning that failure to comply could lead to restricted operations or blocked access for Filipino users.

CICC Executive Director Renato Paraiso said the agency wants the platforms reachable and accountable when activity on their services puts Filipino children and communities at risk. The directive follows the September 18 shooting at Banga National High School in South Cotabato, where authorities are investigating online communities tied to the 16-year-old suspect. Authorities have not established that those communities caused or contributed to the attack.

The CICC is also asking both companies to explain their current safety arrangements, submit plans for age verification and rapid-response mechanisms, and join a proposed framework addressing child sexual exploitation and what the agency calls nihilistic violent extremism. It has asked the Department of Foreign Affairs to facilitate broader discussions with Reddit, Discord, Meta, and other platforms.

The 24-hour deadline calls for a designated representative, not full physical offices. The CICC said it could coordinate with other agencies to restrict or block the platforms if they do not comply.