00:00 The government has strengthened the relationship between internet providers and money services
00:05 to open the abuse to children online.
00:08 Since the pandemic, the number of online child exploitation cases has increased by more than 200%.
00:14 Salima Refran was on the scene.
00:16 This January, two minors in Lanao del Norte were arrested
00:25 for molesting their own parents.
00:29 A similar story happened to minors who were arrested in Pampanga last June
00:34 for molesting their own parents to be released online.
00:39 These types of crimes were exposed by a more intense campaign
00:44 against online child abuse.
00:47 According to the DOJ, the number of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines
00:55 has increased by 264% since the pandemic.
00:57 The youngest that we've encountered before when I was still in the DOJ was a 3-month-old baby.
01:02 The average of victims rescued is 4.
01:07 So they usually are rescued in groups.
01:10 Usually, they are rescued in groups of cousins, siblings.
01:13 Online child sexual abuse materials also increased during the pandemic
01:17 based on the data of the Interagency Council Against Trafficking.
01:21 Alarmingly, 2021 saw the highest jump in these numbers,
01:27 which can be attributed to the surge in internet usage during the onset of the pandemic.
01:33 What's more alarming is that for only P50,
01:37 there are materials for child abuse.
01:41 It's like you're just transferring money for massages and food.
01:45 We are already doing consultation and dialogue with money service businesses
01:50 that are not yet covered by the Anti-Money Laundering Act.
01:55 Now that it's a safer internet day,
01:57 the government has strengthened its commitment to internet service providers, intermediaries, and money service businesses.
02:05 Take down of contents containing child abuse is also one of the ways to preserve data.
02:11 Under the law, if there are child abuse or child abuse-related activities happening on their platforms,
02:17 they are obliged to report it to the authorities within 24 hours under the penalty of law.
02:23 It's sad to admit, but sometimes, the perpetrators are even parents.
02:29 And what they say is that this is a source of poverty.
02:33 And secondly, there is no impact on the child because it's just pictures or videos.
02:40 We really need to educate not just the children but also the parents.
02:44 The implementation of the RA-11930 or Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act will also be strengthened.
02:52 If there are cases like this that are reported, don't believe us because these cases should not be believed unless a solution is given.
03:03 For GMA Integrated News, Sanima Refrain, reporting for 24 Hours.
03:10 [Music]
