Up to 25 cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) have been recorded in the Davao Region since January 2025, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao (DSWD-11).

According to a report by GMA Super Radyo Davao, Fretzie Ann Ellyn Pallado, DSWD-11 focal person of the Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP), said the victims are currently under the care of the agency, with 15 of them rescued recently.

DSWD-11 said most of the cases involved parents or family members as perpetrators.

The agency added that the increase in reported cases can be attributed to stronger collaboration among various government agencies in the fight against human trafficking.

Overall, DSWD-11 is currently assisting 88 victims under the RRPTP program, including those who were victims of prostitution, surrogacy, and illegal recruitment.

Meanwhile, more than 2,000 cases of child abuse have been reported through the Kean Gabriel Hotline since 2016 in Davao City.

According to Jinky Roncal, manager of Kean Gabriel Center, the figure includes rescued child victims and those who have received psychosocial intervention.

Roncal admitted that the office continues to receive prank and nuisance calls on a daily basis, which can hinder the team’s emergency response operations.

The Quick Response Team for Children’s Concerns is appealing to the public not to make prank calls to the hotline, as this could delay assistance for legitimate abuse cases.

The Kean Gabriel Hotline was established to allow residents to report cases of abuse, especially involving children, more quickly and easily.