Senator Risa Hontiveros has expressed deep concern over the government’s struggles in curbing online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), following a recent case where authorities arrested a woman and her accomplices for exploiting eight minors, including her own four daughters. The youngest victim was just 10 months old.
Hontiveros, who chairs the Senate committee on women and children, described the incident as heartbreaking, emphasizing the urgent need for stronger enforcement of the Anti-OSAEC law, which she authored.
“As a mother, it pains me to see children being abused in exchange for money,” she said in an Inquirer.net report.
She criticized the current implementation of the law, pointing out that online platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp continue to be used for OSAEC-related crimes despite existing regulations.
The senator called on social media companies to tighten their monitoring efforts and urged internet service providers, e-wallets, and remittance centers to take responsibility in preventing these illegal activities.
To address the issue, Hontiveros announced plans to initiate a Senate inquiry into the matter and investigate emerging trends in OSAEC.
“We need a stronger, unified approach to combat this crisis. Our children must never be treated as commodities,” she stressed.
