Twenty child sexual abuse websites have already been shut down by authorities, three months after the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) was enacted, Senator Risa Hontiveros announced on Thursday, Oct. 20.
Hontiveros, who is the principal author of the OSAEC law, lauded the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the PLDT Company for taking immediate action on the pressing problem in the country.
"The New Anti-OSAEC law is working. Sa ngayon, naka-block na ang benteng website at mga larawang nagpapalakat ng mga child sexual abuse and exploitation materials sa internet," she said.
Hontiveros said the blocking of 20 websites signifies "positive development" in the fight against online sexual abuses.
She shared that the NBI vowed to take down more abusive websites.
“It gives me joy to see all of us working together to truly shut down OSAEC. Dahil sa ating pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa, tiyak na mas marami tayong mapagtatagumpayan para sa ating mga anak," Hontiveros said.
The opposition Senator also asked for the cooperation of the public by reporting photos or websites containing sexual child abuse to concerned law enforcement agencies.
"Patuloy tayong mag-ambagan nang tuluyan na matuldukan ang pang-aabuso at pagsasamantala sa ating mga bata," she added.
The Republic Act No. 11862 or Act Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 was signed by former president Rodrigo Roa Duterte on June 23, 2022.
RA. 11862 directs that “any person who has personal knowledge of the commission of any offense under this Act, such as the trafficked person, the parents, spouse, siblings, children, legal guardian, officer or social worker or representative of a licensed child-caring institution, officer, or social worker of the DSWD, Philippine National Police or National Bureau of Investigation, officers, barangay chairperson, or at least three concerned citizens where the violation occurred, may file a complaint under this Act.”
Law enforcement agencies are mandated to conduct an investigation and counter-trafficking intelligence gathering motu proprio within 10 days upon receipt of statements, reports, or affidavits.
