Parents warned vs kids’ pageants, modeling gigs linked to pedophiles, sexual abusers

Ashton Mullins, Unsplash  

MANILA — Some beauty pageants and modeling events for children are allegedly being used to sexually exploit minors, the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) said on Wednesday as it warned parents against unscrupulous organizers.

While there are legitimate pageants and modeling events for children, parents should be cautious as there are individuals who sell the kids’ photos on the dark web, said Undersecretary Angelo Tapales, executive director of the CWC.

“Nakatisod kami ng reports na ginagamit daw ang ilang children’s beauty pageants at children’s modeling photoshoot sa pag-produce ng videos and pictures na malalaswa,” he told state television PTV.

“Sabi po nung nagsumbong yan ay pino-post sa mga group chat kung saan may mga matatandang suspected pedophiles or sexual predators o maaaring ibinibenta sa dark web,” he said.

“They are using these as creative ways to violate the law, ‘yung hindi halata o pasimpleng pag violate ng law,” he added.

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One red flag is when organizers require children to wear clothing that makes them a “sexual object or an object of desire,” the CWC chief said.

“The fact na pinagsuot ang anak niyo ng kakarampot na saplot, kung kayo ang mommy o daddy, hindi niyo kayang isuot yan, wag niyo nang ipasuot yan, red flag po yan,” he said.

“Hindi po excuse yang gusto natin ma-discover… Lagi po nating babantayan kasi ang mga ka-deal niyo po diyan hindi lahat ay mababait na tao,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the CWC has inked a memorandum of understanding with the Philippine National Police’s Anti-Cybercrime Group to strengthen the “Makabata Helpline 1383,” a hotline where the public can report cases of online child abuse and exploitation in the cyber domain.

“Magtatalaga po kami ng competent persons to man the help line, popondohan po namin yan… Sila po naman ay tatanggap ng referrals from the Makabata Helpline 1383 para imbestigahan, arestuhin at kasuhan yung mga tao,” Tapales said.

“Dito po sa data sharing agreement, obligasyon ng Council for the Welfare of Children na i-share ang information sa PNP-ACG para sila ay makarespond ng mabilis, magkaroon ng matibay na investigation,” he said.

The hotline received 886 reports from January to July 2024, he said, noting that “almost 20 percent” of these calls were inquiries on child custody and questions about violence against children.

The CWC also partnered with non-government organization Positive Youth Development Network to establish the “Kaibigan Chatline,” a chat service where minors who need confidants can talk to their peers, who were trained to provide advice and comfort for distressed minors. 

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