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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Hontiveros wants Senate probe on 10-month old, other minor victims of online sexual abuse

Hontiveros wants Senate probe on 10-month old, other minor victims of online sexual abuse

Published Feb 17, 2025 06:25 am

Deputy Minority Leader Senator Risa Hontiveros on Monday, February 17 said she will call for a Senate investigation into the new trends of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.


Hontiveros made the remark following reports of authorities arresting a woman and her cohorts for sexually exploiting a total of eight (8) minors, including her children, with the youngest being 10-months old.


“Nakakagimbal. Bilang nanay, ang sakit sa puso malamang may musmos na inabuso’t inalipusta kapalit ng pera (It’s shocking. As a mother, it pains my heart to learn there are children and infants being subjected to abuse and exploitation in exchange for money),” Hontiveros said in a statement.


As author of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (Anti-OSAEC) law, Hontiveros said she is disappointed that the implementation of the measure seemingly failed to proactively protect children from such violence.


“I cannot help but think that we are not doing enough,” she said.


“The Anti-OSAEC Law imposes responsibilities on social media platforms, and yet nagawa pa rin ang mga karumal-dumal na krimen gamit ang (they were still able to do such vile acts using) Facebook at (and) WhatsApp,” she noted.


At the same time, Hontiveros renewed her call on social media companies to tighten their regulations.


“Hindi na nga matugunan ang fake news, hindi pa maprotektahan ang ating mga anak (They could not address fake news, and they still can’t protect our children),” she lamented.


“I will be calling a Senate inquiry on this matter, as well as on new trends on OSAEC. Nag-sampa din ako ng resolution sa Senado para siyasatin ang mahalagang usapin na ito (I also filed a Senate resolution to probe this significant issue),” she said.


At the same time, Hontiveros lauded the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Human Trafficking Division for apprehending the perpetrator. She also thanked the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC for putting much effort in the said case.


“Panagutin natin kung kina-kailangan ang mga internet service providers (ISPs), ang mga e-wallet, o ang mga remittance center na maaaring naging bahagi ng paglago nitong OSAEC (We will hold accountable if necessary the internet service providers, the e-wallets, or the remittance centers that may have been part of the growth of this OSAEC),” she said.


“We need to strengthen our whole-of-nation approach to this unfortunate and complicated issue. Our children should not and should never be for sale,” added the lawmaker.

Related Tags

OSAEC National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Risa Hontiveros Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC)
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