Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso
MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang is calling on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to impose sanctions on internet service providers (ISPs) that allow their platforms to be used for online child exploitation.
In a televised press briefing Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said reports on the surge of alleged online sexual exploitation of children “caught the attention” of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Nograles said the President, during Monday’s Cabinet meeting, adopted the recommendations of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to curb illicit activities related to online sexual exploitation, which the Palace official said more than doubled during the coronavirus pandemic from 19,000 in 2019 to 47,937 in 2020
Among the DOJ recommendations are the strict enforcement of Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, which penalizes internet providers for “willfully and knowingly” fail to install technologies to block and foil child pornography activities.
“The NTC is hereby instructed to do your duty as far as any violations are concerned,” Nograles said.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was earlier ordered to look into the issue after Senator Sherwin Gatchalian sounded the alarm amid reports that some students have been selling lewd photos and videos online to support and sustain their distance education.
Aside from installing technologies to block child pornography in their services, internet providers are also asked to immediately notify law enforcers that their platform is being used for child pornography, preserve evidence and “furnish particulars” of users involved in child pornography.
Nograles also said that the President is calling on Congress to prioritize the passage of bills to curb child porn which includes amending anti-trafficking laws to exempt traffickers from the Anti-Wiretapping Law, and impose obligations on ISPs and tourism establishments to destroy child porn.