DoJ, NCR mayors combat online child sexual exploitation
‘Protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation is a shared responsibility that requires a whole-of-government approach.’
Government officials, telecommunications stakeholders and child rights advocates called for stronger online child protection measures and safer digital spaces during the National ISP Summit on Child Online Protection and Responsible Digital Industry Engagement in Quezon City, stressing the need for stronger laws, protection technologies, and youth participation to combat online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (OSAEC).
The Department of Justice (DoJ) convened Metro Manila local chief executives recently for a high-level dialogue aimed at strengthening interagency partnerships and advancing child protection programs against online abuse and exploitation.
Held at the New World Hotel, the meeting centered on combating Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and the proliferation of Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM).
During the session, the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) outlined the primary drivers behind the rise in reported cases to guide local government units (LGUs) in crafting targeted, community-level interventions.
“Protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation is a shared responsibility that requires a whole-of-government approach,” Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida said.
“Through this coordination, the DoJ and Metro Manila LGUs reaffirm their commitment to working together to strengthen efforts to prevent child abuse and exploitation, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure that every child has access to justice,” he added.
Vida led the justice department delegation alongside Undersecretaries Majken Anika S. Gran-Ong, Nicholas Felix Ty and Ian Norman E. Dato.
They were joined by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Melvin A. Matibag, city chief prosecutors from across the National Capital Region, and representatives from both the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM and the Committee for the Special Protection of Children (CSPC).
Metro Manila local chief executives in attendance included Caloocan Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan, Parañaque Mayor Edwin Olivarez, Pateros Mayor Gerald German, Navotas Mayor John Reynald Tiangco, Pasay Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Muntinlupa Mayor Rozzano Ruffy Biazon, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano and Malabon Mayor Jeannie Sandoval.
Officials cited during the discussions that victims and concerned citizens often face significant barriers when reporting abuse, driven by fear, lack of public awareness and confusion over which government agencies handle such complaints.
To bridge these reporting and enforcement gaps, the NCC Secretariat and the CSPC urged local governments to establish dedicated OSAEC task forces, modernize city ordinances, localize the national strategic plan, and adopt revised interagency coordination protocols.
The DoJ stated that the dialogue forms part of its broader campaign to harmonize national law enforcement and prosecutorial work with grassroots local government initiatives to accelerate case build-up, bolster victim support systems, and create safer digital spaces for Filipino children.