Hontiveros renews call for Anti-OSAEC bill signing as more online groups prey on kids

In this April 25, 2017, photo, former cybersex victims participate in a study course at a counseling center for sexual exploitation survivors in Manila, Philippines. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros expressed alarm on Tuesday as more online groups are made to prey on children.

Hontiveros said that public groups on Facebook named Atabs and LF Kuya and Bunso post images of minors to lure predators.

The Facebook groups have also been utilized for advertising their sale of children’s photos or videos on Telegram and other messaging applications.

“Nakakasuklam at nakakagalit na may mga taong tahasang nang-aabuso sa ating kabataan. Gamit na rin nila ang Facebook messenger or Telegram para mag-usap at magbenta ng libo-libong mga pictures at videos. Ang iba, gumagamit pa ng cloud storage tulad ng Mega dahil napakalaki ng volume,” Hontiveros decried in a statement.

(It is disgusting and offensive that some people outright abuse children. They use Facebook messenger or Telegram to talk and sell thousands of pictures and videos. Others even use cloud storage like Mega because the volume is huge.)

“Bilang ina, mas lalo akong nangangamba sa seguridad ng ating mga anak sa internet. Kailangang maipasa na ang Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Law para tunay na mapanagot ang mga salarin at pati ang mga social media platforms at internet intermediaries na hinahayaang lumaganap ang kabastusang ito,” she added.

(As a mother, I worry about the safety of our children on the internet. The Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law needs to be signed to hold perpetrators liable and even social media platforms and internet intermediaries that allow these abuses to proliferate.)

Hontiveros is the principal author and sponsor of the Anti-OSAEC bill.

Recently, the senator also exposed the Facebook and YouTube accounts of Usapang Diskarte, which shared tips to his viewers on how to persuade a minor into having sexual activity.

The social media platforms then took down the accounts following Hontiveros’ call to report the pages.

However, she said that taking down the page or channel is not enough. Hence, renewing her call to sign the Anti-OSAEC bill into law.

“Hindi sapat na nate-take down lang ang mga page o channel. Kahit ma-i-report online, gagawa at gagawa lang din sila ng panibagong accounts. Maging proactive na dapat ang mga social media platforms at messaging apps sa pagsugpo ng mga gawaing nakakapahamak sa mga bata,” she said.

(Taking down a page or channel is not enough. Despite reports online, they will just create new accounts. Social media platforms and messaging apps should be proactive in combating activities that are harmful to children.)

“Parte na ng buhay ng ating kabataan ang internet. Pero hindi dapat maging parte ang karahasan at pangaabuso sa kanila — offline man o online. Gawin na natin ang lahat para matiyak ang kaligtasan ng ating mga anak. Ipasa na ang Anti-OSAEC Law,” Hontiveros appealed.

(The Internet is part of our children’s lives. But, harassment and abuses against them should not be part of it — offline or online. So, let us do everything to ensure our children’s safety. Sign the Anti-OSAEC law.)

JMS/abc