SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday urged social media companies to strictly regulate the use of their social media sites so they will not be the medium for the exploitation of children.
Hontiveros made the call after the National Bureau of Investigation rescued four minors, including a 10-year-old baby, in Angeles City last week.
The NBI arrested a mother and her two cohorts found in violation of RA 11930 or the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials, and RA 9208 as amended by RA 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act in an operation in Angeles City, Pampanga.
NBI director Jaime Santiago said the bureau’s Human Trafficking Division received information on individuals involved in the production of child sexual abuse materials (CSAMs) for livestreaming acts of sexual abuse and exploitation.
He said the materials and live streaming content were allegedly offered for sale across various social media platforms, adding the mother did this through a “sex tourism package” that involved her minor daughters for escort and sexual activities. The eldest was 14 while the youngest was 10 months old.
Santiago said the children were sold for up to $50 or more than P2,800.
The suspects were arrested shortly after they went live on social media platforms where the children were offered for a fee to do lewd live streaming acts.
Hontiveros, principal author of the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Law, said she is “disappointed” that the implementation of the measure does not seem to proactively protect children from online abuses and exploitation.
She said the Anti-OSAEC Law imposes responsibilities on social media platforms, but unscrupulous individuals manage to get away with their illicit online activities.
“I am again calling on social media companies to strictly implement their regulations on the use of their sites. They have not been able to curb the proliferation of fake news, our children can’t even be protected,” Hontiveros said.
Hontiveros added that she will file a resolution to urge the appropriate committee to conduct an investigation on the matter.
“Let us make internet service providers, and e-wallets or remittance centers accountable for apparently being involved in the proliferation of OSAEC,” she said.
“We need to strengthen our whole-of-nation approach to this unfortunate and complicated issue. Our children should not and should never be sold,” she added.
