President Marcos ordered concerned government agencies to implement a comprehensive approach to combat the alarming rise of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children and child sexual abuse.
In a recent press briefing, Department of Justice (DOJ) Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV said the President’s directive came during their meeting on Wednesday, April 24.
President Marcos emphasized the need for collaboration among government agencies, private sector entities, and internet service providers to address the growing threat posed by these heinous crimes against children.
“These things are very alarming… At the meeting, the President was visibly distressed, very bothered and clearly stressed with the information that was relayed to him,” Clavano said.
Clavano said the President gave a “very strong directive” to the DOJ, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other law enforcement agencies to further intensify their efforts against such cases.
Further, the Chief Executive instructed the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the PNP to enhance surveillance and enforcement measures to apprehend perpetrators of child pornography.
President Marcos also called for streamlined investigation processes to ensure the protection of children and facilitate their proper family reintegration, as emphasized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Recognizing the complexity of the issue, President Marcos stressed the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, urging the involvement of non-government organizations, social media platforms, and the private sector in the fight against cases of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Clavano highlighted the need for increased engagement with social media companies, such as Facebook, to remind them of their legal obligations and ensure compliance with relevant laws.
In line with the government’s efforts, the DOJ has issued a circular, requiring prosecutors to work closely with law enforcement agencies to build robust cases against the sexual predators.
This collaborative approach aims to strengthen the prosecution of individuals involved in online child exploitation and deter future incidents.
During a press briefing, lawyer Margarita Magsaysay, Executive Director of the DOJ Center for Anti-Online Child Sexual Abuse, identified hot spots for crimes committed against children, including Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Taguig City.
Magsaysay emphasized the importance of targeted interventions in these areas to address the root causes of exploitation and protect vulnerable children.
According to government data, the average age of victims at the time of referral or rescue is 11 years old, with victims as young as less than one year old.
The majority of online child sexual abuse and exploitation victims are female, comprising 86 percent of reported cases.
Highlighting the financial dimensions of these crimes, the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) reported significant volumes of suspicious transactions, indicating the profitability of such illicit activities.
These findings underscore the need for coordinated efforts to disrupt the financial networks supporting these crimes and hold perpetrators accountable.