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| President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. gives his speech after hearing the story of a woman who, as a child, was locked in a bar and forced to strip dance for adult men. “I couldn’t help but shed a tear as I tried to imagine the suffering she endured and to think about how many other children—while we sit in this comfortable hotel—are still facing the same fate. Along with those tears comes a deep sense of shame because we have not done enough,” the President said. (RTVM) |
by: Jerome Paunan
MANILA, (PIA) — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Monday, September 16, called the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) a “horrible scourge” and pledged the government’s unwavering commitment to combating this crisis.
Speaking at the “Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon: Tapusin ang OSAEC Ngayon” Summit 2024, Marcos expressed “deep sense of shame” over the fact that the Philippines is considered the epicenter of this abhorrent crime against children.
“We must do more. We will not allow it to continue,” Marcos said at the event organized by the International Justice Mission (IJM).
The President noted that the Filipino culture, known for its strong family values, makes the prevalence of OSAEC even more appalling. He said the victims are not just faceless and nameless children, but “our children” – Filipinos who could be the sons and daughters of people in our communities.
Marcos highlighted the administration’s actions to address the issue, including the creation of the Presidential Office for Child Protection (POCP) and the passage of key legislation such as the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act, as well as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.
He also cited the Philippines’ Tier 1 status in the Trafficking in Persons Report, indicating the country’s leadership in combating human trafficking and OSAEC crimes.
However, Marcos acknowledged that much more needs to be done, noting that the over 1,000 victims rescued and over 100 suspects arrested from 2022 to July 2024 represented only a minority of the actual cases.
“That is not the majority of the victims, that is not the majority of these perpetrators. That is the minority. And we need to do more,” he said.
The President called on various government agencies, local government units, communities, and international partners to remain steadfast in the fight against OSAEC. He urged authorities to strengthen the criminal justice system to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
Addressing the victims and survivors, Marcos assured them that the government stands with them on the path towards healing and recovery, and that their stories continue to motivate the administration to do better.
“We cannot even begin to imagine the horrors that they faced. It’s not their burden to carry alone. The entire government is with you,” Marcos said.
In the first half of 2024, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. reported that 22,421 children in the Philippines faced abuse, neglect, and other forms of violence.
From January to September 2024, there were 94 operations against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) conducted by the Philippine National Police. During these operations, 169 victims were rescued, and 51 suspects were arrested.
The President concluded his speech by declaring the government’s resolve to make the Philippines “the absolute worst place for those who abuse and exploit children.”
“Sama-sama po nating tapusin ang OSAEC!” (Let us together end OSAEC!), he said. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
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