President Marcos is currently reviewing a proposed executive order (EO), which will serve as the “bible” to strengthen the country’s capacity in combatting against online sex abuse and exploitation of children as his administration underscores the need for a whole-of-nation approach against the “gruesome crime.”
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Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Jose Dominic Clavano IV said during a Palace press briefing on Wednesday, June 5, that the EO will operationalize the six pillars of the government’s fight against the perpetrators of online child sexual abuse.
“So, these are the things that the President emphasize. We presented him with the six pillars, with an executive order for his study and approval,” the official added.
“And hopefully po, kapag na-sign na po iyong EO na iyon, mao-operationalize na po iyong six pillars, iyong aming programa (when the EO is signed, it will operationalize the six pillars, our programs) and we can finally eradicate this gruesome crime.”
Clavano shared that the EO will serve as the “bible” to guide law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, judges, and stakeholders and duty bearers against the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
On Tuesday, June 4, the President led a sectoral meeting, where he was presented with a comprehensive and intensive action plan to combat OSAEC and child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM).
Among the six pillars are the inclusion of barangay leaders in the referral pathways, the capacity building and training of barangay officers and social workers, and the aftercare services given to the victims of online sexual abuse of children.
Clavano explained how Marcos pointed out that barangay officials and community leaders should be aware of where to report cases of online child sex abuse because victims won’t likely report the perpetrators since they are either their parents, relatives, or someone they know.
The President also stressed the importance of ensuring that barangay officials, social workers, law enforcement agents, prosecutors, and judges are all aligned and well-informed about the process of monitoring, reporting, and building cases against the perpetrators.
The official also said that Marcos wants victims of online child sex abuse to be given “another chance at a normal life” through aftercare services.
“Kung mayroon po tayong mga shelters, temporary shelters or one-stop shops for the victims – dapat hindi sila tumagal doon – iyon po iyong bilin ni Presidente (If we have shelters, temporary shelters or one-stop shops for the victims — they shouldn’t stay there for long — that’s what the President wants),” Clavano said.
He also said that the Chief Executive instructed that the children who have gone through abuse have to be given back to the community to avoid the trauma of staying in shelter homes along with other victims.
“So, the President was very keen to make his point…to give his point across na (that) we have to find a way na ma-normalize ulit iyong mga buhay ng mga bata (to normalize again the lives of the children),” he added.
The official also stressed that Marcos was adamant that the government should be “victim-centric in all our programs, in all our efforts.”
“There are statistics from all over the world, let’s say that maybe one out of 10 children undergo abuse before the age of 18 and these children as they grow, they have to live with the trauma, and this is something that we do not want for the next generation, we do not want for our future and the dreams of these children,” Clavano added.
Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said that there were 214 case referrals from the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC), 98 operations conducted, 413 rescued victims, 88 arrested, and 38 convicted from 2019 to 2024.