PNP seeks help from foreign counterparts to fight online child abuse

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is planning to expand its cooperation with foreign counterpart agencies in a bid to intensify the government's fight against online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) in the country.

“We are exploring other avenues for greater cooperation and coordination to protect children from abuse and exploitation,” PNP chief Police General Debold Sinas said.

According to him, the PNP has conducted a series of police investigations and operations by the PNP Women and Children Protection Center through the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center.

A total of 42 victims including children were rescued, while eight suspects were arrested in separate operations in Pampanga and Tarlac.

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian called on the government to ramp up its efforts to curb these crimes in observance of the National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.

In a statement, Gatchalian urged the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography (IACACP) to sustain and boost its efforts against OSEC.

Citing information from the IACAT, Gatchalian said online tips on alleged OSEC has increased from 1.2 million in 2020, thrice as many as the recorded 400,000 tips in 2019.

Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts, and Culture, earlier filed Senate Bill 1794 to amend the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 to enhance the measures.

He pointed out the need to amend the country’s anti-trafficking laws to strengthen the government’s efforts against these crimes. -MDM, GMA News