Incentives eyed for firms helping end online sexual abuse on children

Senator Risa Hontiveros is considering providing incentives to private companies assisting law enforcers in putting an end to online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

In a statement on Tuesday, Hontiveros said there is a need for companies "to be proactive in the fight against OSAEC.

"Providing incentives may be the most effective way to ensure this," she said. "May karampatang parusa pa rin kung hindi sila susunod sa batas.”

Hontiveros issued the statement as the Senate women committee resumed its hearing on bills against online sexual abuse of children.

Hontiveros earlier filed Senate Bill 2068, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Law, which seeks to impose penalties on private companies that do not comply with their obligations under the measure.

“Both incentives and penalties can encourage more synergy between private companies and government agencies. Pwedeng mapaigting ang partisipasyon ng mga pribadong kumpanya kung hindi lang parusa ang prinepresenta sa kanila,” Hontiveros said.

The bill seeks to penalize, among others:

• those who willfully subscribe to, join or support an Internet address that hosts OSAEC content;
• those who hire, employ, or pay a facilitator to stream sexual abuse of children; and
• those who knowingly benefit from the commission of OSAEC
• The measure likewise outlines the duties and obligations of Internet service providers, social media networks, financial institutions and intermediaries, and establishments or facilities to prevent incidents of OSAEC.

Internet service providers that do not give notice of exploitation on their services will be slapped a penalty of P2 million but not more than P5 million.

Meanwhile, social media networks that do not comply with their requirements will be penalized with a fine of P10 million, so will banks, money services, and other financial intermediaries not fulfilling their reportorial obligation as provided under the law.

“The private sectors’ products are the main channels through which exploitation occurs. Kung magkakaroon ng mas take-charge attitude ang mga kumpanya dahil sa incentives, then we should study this possibility. Laking tulong ito sa mga opisyal natin," Hontiveros said.

"When it comes to a crime as stealthy and as technical as OSAEC, our law enforcement agencies need all the help they can get,” she added. --KBK, GMA News