One of the authors of a law protecting children against online sexual abuse and exploitation has urged the government to devote more resources towards tackling the issue.
“We have already come up with the law. Now we have to cough up the needed resources to ensure that we successfully implement the law and fully realize its intent,”Rizal 4th District Rep. Fidel Nograles said.
Republic Act No. 11930, otherwise known as the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, lapsed into law on July last year.
This, after the US State Department’s report on the country’s human rights situation noted that the country still does not have enough resources to enforce laws against the sexual exploitation of minors, which contributes to child abuse remaining a significant problem.
The report cited “inadequate prosecutorial resources and capacity to analyze alleged abusers’ computers for evidence” as challenges to effective enforcement.
“Despite the penalties and enforcement efforts, law enforcement agencies and NGOs agreed that criminals and family members continued to use minors in the production of pornography and in cybersex activities,” the report stated.
Republic Act No. 11930, otherwise known as the “Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, lapsed into law on July last year.
According to the Department of Justice-Office of Cybercrime, cyber tip reports of CSAEM attributed to the Philippines had ballooned to 2.8 million in 2021 from 1.2 million in 2020 and 400,000 in 2019.
The measure was pushed following an exponential increase in cases of OSAEC during the pandemic.
According to the Department of Justice-Office of Cybercrime, cyber tip reports of CSAEM attributed to the Philippines had ballooned to 2.8 million in 2021 from 1.2 million in 2020 and 400,000 in 2019.
Nograles said that the law’s passage is only the first step in saving children from the threat of OSAEC.
“Just like the report states, the threat is still present, and we have a long way to go to save our children from this sordid practice,” the lawmaker said.
“Magtulungan po sana tayo, pondohan po natin ang adhikain na ito para sa kapakanan ng ating kabataan,” he added.
