MANILA, Philippines 鈥� An advocacy group on Wednesday raised concerns over the increasing prevalence of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) in the country, calling on the government and private sector to take stronger action against it.
CitizenWatch made the pronouncement after the International Justice Mission recently revealed that at least 500,000 minors in the country have fallen victim to OSAEC and CSAEM.
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These figures, said CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor Kit Belmonte, may even be higher due to underreporting and lack of awareness.
鈥淲e cannot allow the internet to be weaponized against our children. We need tighter regulation of digital platforms, stronger international cooperation to dismantle syndicates, and intensified efforts to educate parents and children alike,鈥� Belmonte said in a statement.
The group also stressed the need for full enforcement of existing laws, such as Republic Act 11930, the Cybercrime Prevention Act, and the Anti-Child Pornography Act.
However, Belmonte stressed that legal frameworks would not be enough and that efforts from telecommunications companies and internet providers鈥攍ike blocking websites with child abuse materials and educating consumers in responsible internet use, scams and cybercrimes鈥攚ould be vital in addressing the rise of OSAEC and CSAEM cases.
鈥淭his fight is not just for lawmakers, enforcers, or tech giants鈥攊t is a fight for our youth, the future of our nation. Parents must be the first line of defense. Schools must integrate digital literacy into curricula. Tech companies must continuously refine their safeguards. And every citizen must refuse to turn a blind eye,鈥� he said.