The Philippine National Police has vowed to go after child sex offenders who have already shifted to digital platforms.
In a Palace press briefing Tuesday, PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, said the police have already received 378 complaints on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children since 2019.
Of the figure, about 350 exploitation cases led to police operations, including 43 conducted from January to August last year and 29 this year.
A total of 225 criminal cases were filed against the perpetrators.
“For 2021, 25 cases have been filed while 20 cases were filed out of the complaints received from January to August 2022,” Azurin said.
Child pornography
Philippine Special Envoy to UNICEF Nikki Prieto-Teodoro reported that there has been a 280 percent increase in child pornography cases in the country.
Teodoro said the increase was due to children being locked up with their parents.
“Now it’s even cheaper. You can do it for P1,000. So you can imagine how many sites are on right now,” Teodoro said.
War vs exploitation
The government has declared war against child sexual exploitation, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
He said the government will make sure that those involved in child trafficking and exploitation of children will surely be made to answer for their actions.
The justice chief said the reason they are converging is because of the need to have a comprehensive approach to the problem.
DILG joining fight
Secretary Benhur Abalos said the Department of the Interior and Local Government is joining the fight against child exploitation.
He said the DILG is recommending the procurement of forensic software for online investigations, provision of child-friendly facilities in anti-cybercrime group offices, and close coordination with the DoJ for the international complaints.
With LADE KABAGANI, ALVIN MURCIA, Cherk Balagtas, Paula Antolin and Gab Humilde Villegas