The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) rallied all Filipinos to protect children not only from physical but also from online abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

The CHR declared: "No child shall be left behind and no child shall be exploited, discriminated against, or abused. Every child must grow up safe, valued, and free to thrive with dignity."

Led by Child Rights Center and Focal Commissioner on Child Rights Beda A. Epres, the CHR kicked off its participation in the National Children’s Month (NCM) this November.

It shared the words of the late human rights defender Jose W. Diokno: “There is one dream that all Filipinos share: that our children may have a better life than we have had."

The theme for this year's NCM observance puts the spotlight on Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials: "OSAEC-CSAEM Wakasan: Kaligtasan at Karapatan ng Bata, Ipaglaban!"

The CHR said that the theme is a reminder of everyone's shared duty to build a just and humane society for future generations.

Aside from the event, the CHR's regional offices have also been participating in various activities throughout the month to raise awareness, empower children, and strengthen child protection mechanisms.

These include the presentation of CHR’s Evidence-Based Studies and Key Recommendations during the Department of Justice’s Summit on Advancing Real Justice for Every Child; participation in the Quezon City Anti-Drug Abuse Council Summit; the 2025 NCM Kick-Off Celebration; and Juvenile Justice Week 2025 activities.

The CHR said it also continued its Kabataan Karapatan Caravan in several schools, including Commonwealth High School, Colegio San Juan de Letran, and Ugong Pasig National High School, featuring discussions on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and OSAEC-related issues.

In SOCCSKSARGEN and Surigao del Norte, the CHR has also been busy gathering data on displaced children, child labor, and child marriage with the goal of identifying gaps in child protection interventions.

It said the protection of children from online sexual abuse and exploitation should go beyond NCM, and ending OSAEC requires cooperation from the government, communities, families, and individuals to ensure that every child grows up free from abuse and fear.

"Through sustained advocacy, partnerships, and on-the-ground initiatives, the CHR remains steadfast in protecting every Filipino child from abuse and exploitation—making this nation a nation for our children," it CHR said.