MANILA, Philippines?Noting the increasing incidence of crimes and violence resulting from social networking sites, Senator Manny Villar said users sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Friendster must be protected.

He thus filed Senate Resolution 412 directing appropriate committees to look into the matter.

The resolution specifically pointed out the cases that are now being investigated by the police ?wherein the suspects used Facebook and text messages to lure people, specially minors, into engaging in sexual activities.?

?Part of this device or scheme is to use the online networking system of establishing ?clans? and inviting youths to join where part of the initiation includes participation in sexual activities,? the resolution said.

Thus, it said, ?There is a need for the legislature to come up with measures that will ensure the protection of users of networking sites as well as provide for a means to punish the offenders who use this technology to commit an offense.?

The resolution pointed out studies which showed that Filipinos are among the most active users of social networking sites in Asia. About 30 percent of the country?s population has Internet access mostly through Internet cafés, while nearly one in two Filipinos has a mobile phone with most phones web-capable.

But this access to the Internet has opened a window for sex offenders to find their victims by accessing their online profiles on networking sites.

This access to the Internet, the resolution said, also serves as a ?conduit for perpetuating the offense by keeping the identity of the offender hidden by a veil of anonymity in the World Wide Web.?