SENATOR Risa Hontiveros condemned social media platforms for their failure to prevent online sexual exploitation of children, following the arrest of a woman in Angeles City, Pampanga, who allegedly exploited her own 10-month-old child for profit.

“Nakakagimbal. Bilang nanay, ang sakit sa puso malamang may musmos na inabuso’t inalipusta kapalit ng pera,” Hontiveros said, condemning the crime.

Hontiveros also commended the National Bureau of Investigation’s Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD) for apprehending the perpetrators and thanked the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC for their work on the case.

Despite these efforts, Hontiveros expressed disappointment over the implementation of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law (Anti-OSAEC Law), which she authored.

She pointed out that the law places responsibilities on social media companies to curb such crimes, yet platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp were still used to facilitate the abuse.

“Muli akong nananawagan sa mga social media companies na paigtingin ang kanilang mga regulasyon. Hindi na nga matugunan ang fake news, hindi pa maprotektahan ang ating mga anak,” she said.

Hontiveros announced that she would initiate a Senate inquiry to investigate the matter and examine emerging trends in online child exploitation. She has filed a resolution to formally scrutinize the case and called for the accountability of internet service providers, e-wallet services, and remittance centers that may have enabled the proliferation of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

“We need to strengthen our whole-of-nation approach to this unfortunate and complicated issue. Our children should not and should never be for sale,” she asserted.

The case has reignited calls for stricter enforcement of online safety regulations and greater cooperation among law enforcement agencies, technology companies, and financial institutions to prevent such crimes.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Camille P. Balagtas