PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications Inc. blocked over 179,000 online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) sites as of January 31, 2022.
In a statement, both telcos likewise lauded government measures to amend legislation and strengthen multi-sectoral solutions against illegal sex trade of Filipino children online.
Recently, Congress approved the amendment to the anti-human trafficking legislation that harmonized Senate Bill 2499 and House Bill 10658.
This version now includes strengthened provisions against OSAEC to address earlier limitations on the implementation of Republic Act (RA) 9775, the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.
Despite limitations on the existing law, PLDT and Smart continued to uphold the child protection principles of RA 9775.
“This amendment legislation has a clear understanding of the entire digital ecosystem that enables human trafficking and OSAEC," said PLDT First Vice President and Head for Regulatory and Strategic Affairs, Atty. Aileen Regio.
The amendment also makes a distinction on the roles of the different entities, especially recognizing intermediaries that are in a better position to manage content housed through their platforms, she added.
PLDT and Smart invested on a Child Protection Platform that allows them to detect, respond, and prevent domain and content-level access to OSAEC within their network.
Both telcos joined fellow Internet Service Providers (ISP), via the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators, in urging government for clarity and legislative amendments to Section 9 of RA 9775 which imposes conflicting provisions on ISP measures for content filtering and data privacy protection.
Furthermore, PLDT and Smart enacted a pioneering Child Safeguarding Policy that institutionalizes programs, practices, and technology solutions that promote the online safety and welfare of children across their operations.
These initiatives underscore their continuing commitment to help the Philippines in attaining the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG), particularly UNSDG #16 which stands against abuses, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children and promotes just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.