CDO creates special 鈥榡ustice zone鈥� to combat online child abuse
(File photo courtesy of CDO City Council)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The city government has institutionalized its status as Northern Mindanao’s first “justice zone” against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
It created a coordinated legal framework to protect minors and prosecute offenders.
Ordinance No. 2025-743, which was passed during Friday’s city council session, formalizes the city’s role as the country’s 14th designated justice zone under the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC).
The measure is authored by Vice Mayor Jocelyn Rodriguez and Councilor Joyleen Mercedes Balaba.
“This creates an inter-agency shield for our children,” Rodriguez said in an interview, noting the ordinance strengthens coordination between city hall, police, prosecutors and courts.
The ordinance builds upon the city’s existing anti-OSAEC ordinance passed last year, which was partly inspired by the high-profile conviction of Australian sex offender Peter Gerald Scully.
The justice zone initiative implements several key components including a rapid response protocol requiring 72-hour case assessments for all OSAEC reports.
It also establishes specialized family courts to handle abuse cases and provides new digital forensic equipment for evidence processing.
The ordinance also mandates comprehensive psychosocial services for victims through partnerships with local hospitals and child protection units.
City records show 20 documented OSAEC cases since 2004, with seven convictions secured in the past three years.
As of July 2024, authorities are actively investigating 14 additional cases.
Rodriguez said the justice zone model has proven effective elsewhere in the Philippines, reducing case resolution times by 40 percent in pilot areas.
The initiative follows the September 2023 launch of the Tri-City Special Justice Zone linking Cagayan de Oro with Iligan and Ozamiz cities.
