Senator Win Gatchalian is calling for a stronger and continued crackdown on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) during National Awareness Week for the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation.
Previously, Gatchalian filed a resolution urging an inquiry into the proliferation of OSAEC, stressing the need to enhance measures for a safer online environment for children. He emphasized strengthening child protection systems and improving cooperation among local government units, law enforcement, and non-government agencies through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT).
In 2022, nearly half a million Filipino children were trafficked online, and suspicious financial transactions related to OSAEC totaled P1.56 billion between 2020 and 2022. In 2023, 17,600 child rights violations were reported, many involving online abuse.
Gatchalian also highlighted the importance of international cooperation, improved data sharing, and holding digital platforms accountable for detecting and removing harmful content. In 2023, telecommunications companies blocked over 900,000 URLs linked to child exploitation materials.
Gatchalian co-authored the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act (Republic Act No. 11930) and the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2022.
