The House Committee on Public Order and Safety, chaired by Manila Representative Rolando Valeriano approved the creation of a technical working group (TWG) to consolidate bills pushing for stronger protection of children against the growing menace of online sexual exploitation.
For consolidation are House Bills 809, 2319, and 5494, all of which share the common objective to strengthen previous laws on the protection of children against Child Pornography, Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation, or Child Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM).
The Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC) included in the common legislative agenda (CLA) the passage of a law that will strengthen mechanisms combating the proliferation of OSAEC and CSAEM in the country.
Cagayan De Oro City Representative Lordan Suan emphasized the importance of the measure due to the growing number of OSAEC and CSAEM cases, brought about by advances in technology.
“Stricter penalties must be implemented against aggressors, online platforms must be held accountable.”
Suan stressed that stricter penalties must be implemented against aggressors, online platforms must be held accountable, and that preventive measures be put in place to ensure that all children will be well protected against these acts.
Sultan Kudarat Representative Bella Vanessa Suansing and Nueva Ecija Representative Mikaela Angela Suansing, the authors of House Bill 2319, pointed out the UNICEF 2022 study which found that one in five Filipino internet users aged 12 to 17 years old have experienced online sexual exploitation in various forms, including being blackmailed into performing sexual acts, having sexual images shared without their consent, or being coerced into sexual activities in exchange for monetary or material things.
“These cases, when translated to the national population, estimate that up to two million children are subjected to online harm within a single year.”
“These cases, when translated to the national population, estimate that up to two million children are subjected to online harm within a single year,” they said.
Representative Vanessa Suansing added that the bill seeks the immediate removal, or deactivation of, or blocked access to, accounts on social media platforms that involve the publication and distribution of CSAEM, to halt the spread of exploitative content.
The TWG would be chaired by the Sultan Kudarat legislator.
