PHL gov't works with FB against child sexual exploitation pages

The Philippine Government is working with Facebook to obtain information on several pages on the social media website that are allegedly distributing child sexual exploitation materials online.

The DOJ-OOC, NBI-AHTRAD, and the PNP-WCPC Women jointly issues this advisory in light of the alarming proliferation of various Facebook pages that promote sexual exploitation of children materials online. pic.twitter.com/n8N5I6RABK

— Department of Justice (DOJ) (@DOJPH) May 23, 2020

A joint advisory by the Department of Justice, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Philippine National Police and the Women and Children Protection Center named pages "Mahilig sa Bata", "Batang Masarap Spotted", and "Samahan ng mga Mahilig sa Bata."

"...wish to assure the public that the matter has already been coordinated with the management of Facebook for purposes of obtaining computer data," the advisory read.

"May this also serve as a reminder to the public to report to the appropriate law enforcement authorities similar modus operandi that lend to prejudice a child's [...] well-being," it later added.

According to the advisory, the pages "are used as platforms to promote and facilitate exchanges of child sexual exploitation materials between and among its members."

An initial investigation suggested that the administrators and members of the pages deliberately strategized to evade authorities by changing their names and keeping the pages private.

Possession and distribution of any form of child pornography are prohibited and punishable under the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012.

Individuals found guilty may be imprisoned from four years to14 years and fined P200,000 to P1 million. — DVM, GMA News