MANILA (UCAN): The Philippine Department of Justice has vowed to crack down on online sexual predators that victimize minors. The country’s president, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. said he would not allow those involved in sex trafficking of minors, including parents, to go scot-free if proven guilty.
“We are aware of the rising number of online sex trafficking in the country. We will not tolerate this as a nation. We need to go after these online sexual predators because they continue to pose a threat to the future of this nation,” Marcos told reporters on August 23.
He said his government has prioritised the protection of children and women.
Justice secretary, Jesus Crispin Remulla, said there was a need to impose stricter rules in granting Internet access to commercial establishments while citing a recent study by the United Nations showing how the Covid-19 pandemic had triggered a rise in online sexual abuse against children.
A Philippine foundation reported 202,605 cases of online child abuse during lockdowns in 2020 compared to 76,251 cases reported in 2019.
“More children are at risk from online sexual abuse and exploitation amid the Covid-19 pandemic as families resort to easy money due to deepening poverty, while children are still not allowed to leave homes,” according to a report by the Save the Children Fund.
More children are at risk from online sexual abuse and exploitation amid the Covid-19 pandemic as families resort to easy money due to deepening poverty, while children are still not allowed to leave homes,
Save the Children Fund
It said the Covid-19 pandemic was no longer “just a health crisis” but “a child rights crisis” that must be addressed by state authorities.
“Online sexual abuse and exploitation of children is a silent pandemic that has permanent, and devastating effects on children’s mental health and psychosocial well-being,” it said adding that parents and other adults should provide the necessary support and guidance to help protect children.
Meanwhile, Caritas-Philippines said it has been monitoring the police response to complaints of online sexual abuse.
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So far, there have been 62 operations to rescue and/or arrest individuals as against 48 in the previous year, according to Father Rafael Ildefonso, the organisation’s executive secretary.
Father Ildefonso said that out of 103 cases of child pornography reported since 2016, only 67 have resulted in prosecution while a mere three were resolved.
“We should not stop at arrests. We should also look at how the cases are prosecuted and whether the perpetrators are being brought to justice. That’s why the Justice Department and other government branches are crucial in our battle with online sexual abuse,” Father Ildefonso said.
