Despite the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Justice (DOJ) secured the most number of convictions against online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) in 2020 compared to previous years.
“There is a 117 percent increase in OSEC convictions from 2019 to 2020,” Justice Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar said on Sunday, April 11.
Villar, who is also the undersecretary in charge of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), said the DOJ secured 100 OSEC convictions in 2020 compared to 46 in 2019.
The number of convictions in 2020 is also higher than the 49 convictions in 2018, 29 in 2017, six in 2016, 10 in 2015, six in 2014, and two in 2013, she said.
Of the 100 convictions in 2020, 34 of them were for violations of Republic Act No. 9208, the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, she noted.
The 66 other convictions were for other related laws including RA 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act; RA 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009; RA 9995 or the Anti-Photo and Video Voyeurism Act of 2009; RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012; and violations of the Revised Penal Code (RPC) including rape and acts of lasciviousness, and Article 201 on immoral doctrines, obscene publications and exhibitions and indecent shows, she added.
At the same time, Villar said the increase in convictions was due to plea bargaining deals with offenders who agreed to plead guilty to lesser offenses.
“I can confirm that plea bargaining agreements contributed to the 117 percent increase in convictions in OSEC cases. About 63 percent of the 100 convictions last year (2020) were obtained through plea bargaining agreement, which have made a speedy termination of court cases possible without going through the rigors of trial,” she said.
“Further, there is a significant increase (about 59%) in the number of the anti-TIP (Trafficking In Persons) Task Force members in 2020, which means that more prosecutors are handling OSEC cases,” she noted.
Villar attributed the rise in OSEC convictions to intensified efforts to prosecute those involved in the illegal activities.
“The IACAT has intensified its efforts amidst the pandemic. Now we can see the results. We have done so much despite the challenges and constraints,” she said.
“But I have to stress that it is a team effort—all branches of government and even the CSOs (civil society organizations) and the private sector, such as the ISPs (internet service providers),” she added.
She urged the public to report OSEC cases.
“To combat the crime of OSEC it takes everyone doing our part to end this global scourge that preys on our most vulnerable children,” she added.