PNP steps up efforts vs child sexual abuse

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has intensified efforts this year in cracking down on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (osaec), following reports that the philippines ranked second globally, next to india, in the prevalence of the crime.

Speaking in a recorded video interview with The Manila Times, PNP Women and Children Protection Center (PNP-WCPC) director BGen. Portia Manalad said their numbers for Osaec had increased over the Covid-19 pandemic, as children were inside the house and the internet became the common tool for communication, particularly in schools.

“At that time, a lot of children were exposed to the internet and were at home only. We see that we had an increase in the numbers of Osaec,” she said.

Manalad pointed out that in 2022, there was a law that specifically addressed the issues on Osaec, which is Republic Act 11930, or the AntiOnline Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act.

She also noted a decrease in cases last year, but it was not that significant.

The PNP-WCPC’s operations are mainly in Region 3 (Central Luzon), Region 10 (Northern Mindanao) and the National Capital Region (Metro Manila).

“What is good as part of the WCPC is that we have the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (Picacc), in which our composition consists of different local and foreign law enforcement agencies,” Manalad said in Filipino.

Among those partnering with the Picacc are the PNP-WCPC, the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Anti-Trafficking Division, the United Kingdom National Crime Agency, the Australian Federal Police, the Dutch National Police, and the International Justice Mission (IJM).

Manalad also pointed out that there were already convictions over online trafficking.

“In the government, we are doing a whole-of-government approach, so our interagency partnerships are strong, and we have foreign law enforcement agencies that are helping us, and we have a good relationship with the NBI when doing rescue [operations] and arrest of perpetrators and offenders,” she said.

“Parents are supposed to educate their children concerning online safety, especially sharing of information. I hope the children are properly guided,” Manalad added.

According to the IJM, nearly half a million Filipino children were found trafficked to produce sexual exploitation material in 2022.