MANILA, Philippines – Pinirmahan na ng Department of Justice (DOJ) at Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) nitong Huwebes, Mayo 18, ang implementing rules and regulations ng batas na poprotekta sa mga bata mula sa iba’t ibang uri ng pang-aabuso, sexual violence at exploitation.
Ayon kay Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, ang IRR ng Republic Act 11930 o ang Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) at Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act ay nagsasalaysay ng tungkulin ng mga concerned government agency, naglalatag ng paraan sa pag-uulat, imbestigasyon at prosekusyon ng kaso, at nagtatatag ng mekanismo para sa proteksyon at rehabilitasyon ng mga batang biktima.
“This law is a testament to our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society, our children, from the harms of online exploitation and abuse. We recognize that the rise of technology has opened up new avenues for predators to exploit children, and it is our duty to take proactive measures to safeguard their rights and welfare,” sinabi ni Remulla kasabay ng ceremonial signing.
Noong 2020, nakakita ang DOJ ng 264.63% na pagtaas sa mga naiuulat na OSAEC cases sa Pilipinas mula Marso hanggang Mayo ng taong iyon, o kasagsagan ng COVID-19 pandemic.
Ayon kay DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian, ang pangyayaring ito noong pandemya ang nagtulak sa pamahalaan para amyendahan ang RA 9975 o Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, na kalaunan ay inayos bilang RA 11930.
“We have seen the vulnerabilities and gaps of the law which have to be addressed and rectified in RA 11930. This milestone legislation now highlights the greater need to ensure that children are safe at all times wherever they are,” pahayag ni Gatchalian.
Malugod na tinanggap naman ng UNICEF ang hakbang na ito at sinabing nagmamarka ito ng “important step in helping implement a law that will allow children to be safer online.”
“Consulting children in the formulation of the implementing rules and regulations for the law underscores progress, which we hope would continue to be the norm for all policies and legislations that affect children. Indeed, ‘nothing for them, without them.’ Children must be viewed as our partners towards social development,” pahayag ni UNICEF Philippines representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov.
Ayon sa UNICEF Philippines, ang OSAEC ay anumang uri ng pang-aabuso sa mga bata sa pamamagitan man ng electronic device o iba pang pamamaraan.
Kabilang dito ang pagmamanipula o pagbabanta sa bata na magsagawa ng sexual acts sa harap ng webcam, grooming sa mga biktima online, distributing, importing, exporting, o pagbebenta ng bata, at access sa child sexual exploitation material online. RNT/JGC
