Anti-OSAEC drive found lacking

Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros expressed her frustration on Monday over the government’s poor implementation of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (Anti-OSAEC) Law.

This after the Department of Justice reported the arrest of a woman, an alias Marian, and three accomplices for sexually exploiting a total of eight minors, including the former’s four daughters, the youngest a 10-month-old child.

“It’s horrifying. As a mother, it breaks my heart to think that innocent children have been abused and exploited in exchange for money,” Hontiveros said in a statement.

“I laud the National Bureau of Investigation Human Trafficking Division for apprehending the perpetrators. Many thanks to them and to the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC for their focus on this case,” she added.

She continued: “However, as the author of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law, I am disappointed that the implementation of the measure does not seem to proactively protect children from this unspeakable violence. I cannot help but think that we are not doing enough.”

Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act, lapsed into law in 2022.

Under the measure, social media platforms, electronic service providers, and internet and financial intermediaries are required to block materials that promote the sexual abuse and exploitation of children. They are also compelled to cooperate with law enforcers.

Hontiveros, however, noted that social media platforms such as Facebook and messaging applications like WhatsApp were still being used for these illegal activities.

“I once again call on the social media companies to strengthen their regulations. They can’t even address fake news, let alone protect our children,” she said.