
Combatting online child abuse top PNP priority
ON orders of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine National Police this year will ensure that fighting online child traffickers and child abusers will be one of its main priorities.
Given the main task of identifying and arresting online sex predators and other women and child abusers is the PNP Women and Children Protection Center headed by Brigadier General Portia B. Manalad which, from 2022 to 2024 had already rescued 636 victims and arrested 167 suspects.
A total of 218 cases were also filed by the PNP-WCPC in court against the arrested suspects, 12 of them already convicted while 33 are still under investigation.
PNP chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil said the gravity of the problem has become increasingly apparent over the years as he cited the case of a 4-month-old baby being sold on the dark web as among the 636 victims of online child abuse and sexual exploitation rescued by the PNP-WCPC since the start of the Marcos Jr. administration.
The victims of exploitation — 36 of them adult males, 98 adult females and the remaining 502 all minors broken down into 159 boys and 375 girls, all aged 17 and under — were rescued since 2022 amid aggressive police operations aimed at dismantling illegal networks targeting vulnerable children.
“This, reflect the PNP’s firm commitment to the ongoing fight against child exploitation as ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.,” said Gen. Marbil as the Chief Executive ordered the police force to continue their unrelenting crackdown versus online child traffickers and child abusers, even citing some “horrible cases” involving very young kids and sex fiends, including the victims’ relatives and guardians.
“The PNP stands firm in its fight against all forms of child exploitation. These 636 rescued victims represent lives saved and futures restored. Every rescue mission is a step closer to justice and a safer environment for our children,” said Gen. Marbil.
One of the most disturbing cases handled by the PNP-WCPC involved the rescue of a 4-month-old baby being sold online by the infant’s own mother and aunt from their residence in Taguig City.
Gen. Marbil highlighted that these operations stem from efforts launched after the enactment of Republic Act No. 11930, also known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) law, two years ago.
Of the victims rescued, 375 are girls and 127 are boys, all aged 17 and under. Some of those rescued were already adults.
Since 2022, the PNP has conducted 307 operations targeting OSAEC-related crimes, with 145 operations carried out just this year.
These efforts have led to the arrest of 167 suspects, the filing of 218 cases, and 12 convictions to date.
Gen. Marbil commended the efforts of the WCPC, which has been at the forefront of rescue operations and case build-up efforts, and the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), which has intensified online entrapment operations to track down and arrest offenders exploiting children through digital platforms.
The PNP Chief also emphasized the growing role of technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), in boosting investigative efforts.
“AI-powered tools are transforming the way we solve crimes and rescue victims, especially in cases involving the dark web. These technologies enable us to analyze vast amounts of data, identify suspects with greater precision, and swiftly respond to emerging threats,” Gen. Marbil explained.
He cited how AI-assisted investigations have led to quicker identification of perpetrators, resulting in timely rescues and successful prosecutions.
The top cop called on the public to remain vigilant and proactive in reporting suspected cases of child exploitation.
“We urge every Filipino to take part in this fight. Protecting our children is a shared responsibility, and by working together, we can ensure their safety and well-being,” he said.
Brig. Gen. Manalad said this year, they will further strengthen their partnership with local and international organizations in order to disrupt trafficking networks and leverage advanced technologies to deliver justice and protect the nation’s children.
EMOTIONAL PRESIDENT LEADS THE CRACKDOWN
Last September, an emotional President Marcos Jr. led the campaign to combat the proliferation of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), emphasizing its impact on the heart and foundation of every community in the Philippines.
In his speech during the “Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon: Tapusin ang OSAEC Ngayon Summit 2024,” President Marcos cited that nearly half a million Filipinos children have been victimized by OSAEC.
“Many of these victims live within our midst, and several may even be the sons, daughters, and neighbors of those we know, while the perpetrators are the victims’ families or relatives who are expected to care for them,” he said.
“We are here today to confront one of the greatest challenges of our time. The challenges that we face in government are always the challenges that are brought to us by the future. And what exemplifies our future more, what symbolizes our future more than our children?
And that is why this strikes at the very heart of our society. It undermines the foundations of what we are, of who we are as a people,” President Marcos said.
He spoke after hearing a “survivor” narrate her ordeal at the hands of sex fiends.
“Charito” said she was only 13-years-old when she was forced to entertain customers and stripe dance until the National Bureau of Investigation rescued her.
She lamented that after a court trial that last for 10 long years, the perpetrators were convicted but all of them remained at-large.
She also narrated the case of a fellow “survivor” named “Joy” who was asked to strip naked in front of the webcam as foreign pedophiles watched her for a fee.
“Charito” said that “Joy” and 13 others victims were rescued by government agents.
However, she said that “it pains me to note that her community knew about the exploitation, even the barangay officials but no one from the community reported.”
The “survivor” thanked the President for calling for a strong response to OSAEC and expressed hope that ‘justice will be serve, victims will be rescued and survivors will be restored.’
We want protection for the victims, for safe spaces, for agencies to be trauma-informed, we need justice and conviction to be served” she told the audience led by the Chief Executive.