This is among the measures the Department of Education in Cebu has adopted to help elementary and high school students do their part to fight the problem.
“DepEd Cebu strengthens information and education on gender sensitivity to elementary and high school students to counter the cybersex problem,” state-run Philippine Information Agency reported.
Also, the PIA said the DepEd has intensified its moral values formation in public elementary and secondary schools to address the issue.
In Cordova town, meanwhile, Councilor Angeles Gairanod said the town has launched the “Save the Child” program to further counter child cybersex.
The program aims to educate children on their rights and train children to become child rights advocates.
Other measures taken by the town to combat the problem include:
- An anti-money transfer ordinance requiring money transfer firms to report questionable transactions.
- Barangay visitation, promoting child rights advocates.
- Requiring those with computers to register at the local government unit.
47 minors in child cyberporn cases continue schooling despite trauma
Meanwhile, the PIA said the Department of Social Welfare and Development said at least 47 minors who are victims of child cyber pornography in Central Visayas are continuing with their schooling.
The DSWD in Central Visayas said the 47 are among the victims rescued between 2010 and 2013.
“DSWD-7 says all 47 minors in cyber sex case(s) continue schooling despite trauma,” the PIA said.
Also, the PIA said the victims of child cybersex in Central Visayas as young as three years old, with the oldest being 23 years old.
Citing DSWD-7 data, the PIA said the victims were paid as low as P200 to expose their private parts online.
It added the 20 child cybersex cases in Cebu City came from three villages, while 15 cases in Bohol were only from one village.
According to the PIA, the DSWD-7 said 61 cases on child cyber pornography had been filed against operators in Central Visayas from 2010 to 2013.
Of the 61 cases, 26 are from Cordova (Cebu), 20 are from Cebu City, and 15 are from Bohol.
The PIA quoted the DSWD as saying all 61 cases on child cyber pornography filed before the courts are “ongoing.”
It added the 61 cases involved 47 minors and 14 adult.
“(The) DSWD-7 says 47 minors taken into their custody (are) given psychosocial intervention,” it said.
Earlier, Malacañang reiterated the Philippine government’s commitment to protect children from exploitation, including that by child pornography syndicates.
Presidential Communications Operations Office head Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Philippines has a Child and Youth Welfare Code that became law in 1974.
The Philippines also ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children in 1990, he added.
Also, he said the government has set up an Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) headed by the Vice President, with the Department of Justice as the lead agency.
He added the Philippine National Police set up units to combat transnational and cyber crimes, while the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is going after cyber-pornography rings in Metro Manila, Angeles City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Cebu. — VC, GMA News
