Gov’t looking for ways to address child sexual abuse

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the government is actively engaged in discussions on how to address the pervasive issue of child sexual abuse.

He said the government is, at present, exploring all possible avenues, including seeking advice and guidance from the Supreme Court.

Remulla said the issue of child sexual abuse is one of the problems the country is facing at the moment, which is why the government is exploring ways to address it and give importance to how to combat it and hopefully eradicate the problem.

The DOJ chief has expressed deep concern over the rampant issue of child sexual exploitation in the Philippines, referring to it as an "epidemic" that has silently persisted over the years.

Remulla's remarks were prompted by the disturbing reports of alleged sexual abuses linked to a "doomsday cult" in Surigao del Norte.

He said the charges against the Socorro Bayanihan Services Inc. (SBSI) are not isolated incidents; rather, they exemplify a distressing pattern that extends to other regions.

Remulla revealed that a similar pattern of sexual predation had recently emerged on an island in Zamboanga, an incident that had gone unreported.

"They are saying a cult in Surigao del Norte is not new. Only recently, two or three weeks ago, there was an incident reported in an isle in Zamboanga. This is an epidemic in the whole country wherein the children are the victims of sexual abuse and many of those are incestuous rape, which is really a problem," said Remulla.

The allegations against SBSI, made by Senator Risa Hontiveros, are deeply troubling. The cult is accused of sexually abusing and coercing over 1,000 children in Socorro town over the years.

The senator brought these grave allegations to light and called for the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality to conduct an investigation in aid of legislation.

In Senate Resolution No. 797, dated 18 September, Hontiveros stressed the urgent need for action in response to "alarming" reports of rape, sexual abuse, forced labor, and forced marriages involving minors within SBSI.