• THERESA MAE DULMAN
Bacolod City has been tagged as a primary hotspot for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the country by the International Justice Mission, the Department of Social Services and Development (DSSD) said in a press conference July 30.
“This means that the availability or access of online sexual abuse and exploitation content can be traced in computer data located within Bacolod,” DSSD head Richelle Verdeprado Mangga explained.
She described the situation as alarming, and confirmed that the city remains high in the national registry for exploitation cases.
Ten minor survivors have been rescued, so far, since the OSAEC crackdown started last month.
Testimonies gathered from some rescued survivors linked these illegal activities to a facilitator operating within the city.
Mangga also revealed that videos of the exploited children are being sold to international buyers.
Investigations show that perpetrators target vulnerable minors aged 12 to 17 from high-risk, socio-economically disadvantaged communities, and frequently use rented residential properties as covert operational bases.
Authorities are currently conducting tracking operations to locate and arrest the suspect and co-perpetuators, who remain at large.
“Our stand here is that children cannot give informed consent. No child wants to be abused and exploited, and nobody wants to be abused,” Mangga added, noting that the rescue operation is still ongoing.
Implicated individuals will face prosecution under Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children, and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, alongside charges under the Cybercrime Prevention Act, the Safe Spaces Act, and human trafficking laws.
Mayor Greg Gasataya said they are waiting for the DSSD’s recommendation on whether the assistance of the City Legal Office is needed in the filing of charges. | TMD
