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 was after the Department of Justice reported the arrest of a woman, alias Marian,  and three cohorts for sexually exploiting a total of eight minors, including her four daughters, the youngest being 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 perpetrator. 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.”

The Republic Act No. 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 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 are still being used for these illegal activities.

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

The opposition lawmaker said she would seek another Senate inquiry on the matter, as well as on new schemes on OSAEC.

“We must hold accountable, when necessary, internet service providers, e-wallets, and remittance centers that may have been part of the growth of OSAEC,” she said.

“We need to strengthen our whole-of-nation approach to this unfortunate and complicated issue. Our children should not and should never be for sale,” she added.

Earlier this month, Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution No. 1307, seeking an investigation into reports that thousands of Filipino minors have fallen victim to or been involved in OSAEC-related criminal activities through chat platforms, as revealed by Deep Web Konek, a group of cybersecurity experts.