Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla is scheduled to meet with United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of children Mama Fatima Singhateh, DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavo confirmed Saturday.

In a statement, Clavo said Remulla invited Singhateh to his office this Thursday, Dec. 8, to discuss the “marco” problem of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) in the country.

“The purpose of the meeting is for Secretary Remulla to express his gratitude to the UN representative for visiting the Philippines and to answer any questions she may still have after her visit to the different local governments around the country,” he said.

Last Nov. 27, Singhateh arrived in the Philippines to examine its effort against OSAEC including child prostitution, pornography, child marriage, and among other concerns.

She earlier met with Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Carlos Sorreta.

Clavo said the justice department believes that the UN Special Rapporteur’s visit will “provide momentum” in the country’s fight against OSAEC.

Singhateh is the first UN Special Rapporteur to visit the Philippines since 2015.

Aside from Singhateh, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion Irene Khan is scheduled to visit in 2023.

Khan will likewise assess the country's human rights situation.

Earlier, the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) stressed the importance of the two UN Special Rapporteur visits, saying that the conclusions and recommendations that they will make would serve as “competent, constructive, and specific advice” to the government on how to implement its human rights obligations.