Senator Gatchalian calls for stronger crackdown vs. online child sexual abuse

Senator Sherwin Gatchalian renewed calls for intensified efforts against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

This push for stronger action follows the Philippines being ranked 15th worldwide in addressing child sexual violence.

The country also ranked fifth in East Asia and the Pacific in the 2026 Out of the Shadows Index, a global study evaluating how 60 nations prevent and respond to sexual violence involving children and adolescents.

“Patuloy na sinasamantala ng mga kriminal ang internet upang abusuhin at pagkakitaan ang ating mga kabataan. Dapat nating tiyaking mahigpit na naipatutupad ang ating mga batas,” said Gatchalian.

The senator pointed to existing measures aimed at strengthening the country’s response to child exploitation, including the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children Act or Republic Act No. 11930, as well as the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022 or Republic Act No. 11862.

According to Gatchalian, these laws reinforce the legal framework against trafficking and other forms of sexual abuse involving minors.

The proposed 2026 national budget includes significant funding for anti-trafficking and child protection initiatives, specifically:

• P119.2 million for anti-trafficking enforcement efforts.

• P111.6 million for the National Coordination Center against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM).

The 2026 Out of the Shadows Index measured countries using four key areas: governance and accountability, prevention, healing, and justice.

-Paraluman News