Child trafficking cases rise during lockdown

The Department of Justice (DOJ) blames internet service providers (ISPs) or telecommunication companies’ alleged failure to block prohibited materials as reports of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC) triples during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The DOJ Office of Cybercrime (OOC) received 279,166 cyber tips from March to May 2020, compared to 76,561 cyber tips last year with the same interval or an increase of 264.63%.

 “The aforesaid increase is attributable to the fact that, during the enhanced community quarantine is observed in all households, and internet usage surges as people stay at home,” DOJ stated.  

 “It is unfortunate that 11 years after the law that prohibits any form of child pornography was passed, the ISPs have continued to be remiss of [their] duty to install blocking or filtering technology that would have greatly reduced the amount of time necessary to identify perpetrators and victims,” the DOJ added.

On May 15, 2020, the Senate of the Philippines from the 18th Congress released a statement regarding online child trafficking during Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the country. Stated in the press release, Senator Leila De Lima would want to investigate the sudden rise of online child trafficking during this crisis.

On May 4, Sen. De Lima presented a Senate Resolution No. 385 to investigate the reported cases of cybersex or child pornography while the ECQ is being implemented.

“Dahil sa banta ng nakamamatay na COVID-19, kinailangang manatili ng ating mga kababayan sa kani-kanilang tahanan. Sa kasawiang palad, kasabay ding lumalaganap ang isa pang delubyo — ang online child trafficking na matagal nang salot sa ating lipunan” Sen. De Lima stated. 

“Dahil sa lumubha pang kahirapan na dala ng pandemya, maraming pamilyang Pilipino ang nahuhulog sa patibong ng pag-abuso sa internet para kumita,” she added.

LAYOUT BY: Chester P. Cortez

PHOTO SOURCE(S): Kat Jayne (Unsplash), Brother’s Photo (Pexels)