Sen. Risa Hontiveros (Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines —Despite the mounting cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, not enough attention is paid to them.
Senator Risa Hontiveros, who authored the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Law, voiced her concern on Thursday about a lack of support for the drive against the offenders.
She issued the statement after the Department of Justice (DOJ) declared a “war against OSAEC.”
“Libo-libo ang kaso ng OSAEC pero hindi sapat ang tao na nakatutok dito. During my meeting with NBI (National Bureau of Investigation), PNP (Philippine National Police), and Facebook, it was clear that our law enforcers are overwhelmed with cases, making it extremely difficult to immediately put a stop to OSAEC,” Hontiveros said in a statement.
(There are thousands of OSAEC cases, but not enough people focus on them. During my meeting with NBI, PNP, and Facebook, it was clear that our law enforcers are overwhelmed with cases, making it extremely difficult to stop OSAEC immediately.)
Hontiveros also stressed the importance of skills training and funds allocated to agencies concerned with children’s protection.
“Kung seryoso ang gobyerno sa pagsugpo sa OSAEC, paigtingin nila ang suporta, skills training, at pondo na napupunta sa mga ahenteng dumedepensa sa kaligtasan ng ating mga bata,” she added.
(If the government is serious about suppressing OSAEC, they will increase the support, skills training, and funds that go to the agents who defend the safety of our children.)
Aside from these, the senator also backed the DOJ’s call to make internet service providers and telcos prevent OSAEC-related activities in their products and services.
Hontiveros then emphasized that shutting down OSAEC is an effort among communities and multi-stakeholders.
“Dapat lahat tayong mga mamamayan – sa gobyerno man o sa pribadong sektor – ay nag-aambagan para protektahan ang buhay, dignidad, at kinabukasan ng ating mga anak. Hindi matatapos ang OSAEC kung hindi tayo magtutulungan,” Hontiveros said.
(All of us citizens – whether in the government or the private sector – must contribute to protecting our children’s life, dignity, and future. OSAEC cannot be stopped if we do not work together.) — Christian Paul Dela Cruz, Inquirer.net trainee