Marilyn Cahatol

Young people use social media apps on their mobile phones and computers as they attend  the forum, Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive: Case Study of Percy Lapid Mabasa, at the CMC Auditorium Plaridel Hall UP Diliman Quezon City on October 3, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17500585923641750058589473.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Young people use social media apps on their mobile phones and computers as they attend  the forum, Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive: Case Study of Percy Lapid Mabasa, at the CMC Auditorium Plaridel Hall UP Diliman Quezon City on October 3, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Young people use social media apps on their mobile phones and computers as they attend  the forum, Keeping the Flame of Freedom Alive: Case Study of Percy Lapid Mabasa, at the CMC Auditorium Plaridel Hall UP Diliman Quezon City on October 3, 2023. <em>Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA – The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday cautioned the public against uploading photos of minors on social media platforms, following reports of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).  </p><p>&quot;Ang panawagan dito is una mag-ingat tayo ng pag-uupload ng pictures ng ating mga anak. Kung maiiwasan nga po sana na huwag na tayo mag-upload. Kasi because of technology, yung artificial intelligence, kayang gawin kung ano man yung gusto na may ipalabas,&quot; CHR Focal Commissioner for Child Rights Atty. Beda Epres appealed in an interview with ABS-CBN News.</p><p>Last week, content creator Queen Hera warned fellow parents after she found out videos of her child&#x27;s photo were supposedly being sold on the internet.</p><p>Epres urged the public to be more vigilant of possible OSAEC cases in their communities, since one of the biggest challenges is reporting to authorities.</p><p>&quot;Para rin po siguro sa ating mga kababayan, tulungan po yung government pag dating po sa pagsugpo nitong online sexual abuse. Maging mapagmatyag po tayo sa ating mga kapitbahay, ating mga kilala. Kung meron po kayong kutob that they are into this illegal activity, magsumbong po kayo sa CHR o kaya sa Philippine National Police para imbestigahan po natin ito,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Mayroong mga neighbors na nagmamagandang loob, kinekwento o isinusumbong sa proper authorities yung kanilang na-oobserve. Parang minsan nag-iiba yung lifestyle ng pamilya and then yun na ang kadahilanan pala nito ay involved sa online sexual abuse and exploitation yung parents,&quot; Epres explained.</p><p>A report from the United Nations Children&#x27;s Fund or UNICEF identified the Philippines as a global center for production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). </p><p>In 2023, OSAEC cases jumped to 2,740,905, which is triple the 1.3 million recorded in 2020.  </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/4/supreme-court-judiciary-to-strengthen-fight-vs-online-child-sexual-abuse-1252">Supreme Court: Judiciary to strengthen fight vs online child sexual abuse</a></div><p>Epres said the situation is &quot;quite alarming&quot; considering the continued rise in numbers.  </p><p>&quot;Ang nakakalungkot na nakita namin is majority ng perpetrators nitong offense na ito ay kamag-anak ng mga bata. Yung iba magulang, yung iba relatives, yung iba yung kanilang guardians. Yun yung isa sa reason kung bakit walang maayos na reporting because tinatago ng mga magulang,&quot; Epres added.  </p><p>The Commission said English language proficiency, easy access to devices and internet use, absence of perceived harm in OSAEC, and social and cultural norms are among the reasons the country is vulnerable to OSAEC.</p><p>&quot;Ang number one na kadahilanan na sinasabi nila is poverty. At ang sinasabi nilang ito, dahil kumbaga naiaahon sila sa kahirapan ay para din sa kapakanan ng kanilang anak,&quot; Epres said.</p><p>&quot;Pero hindi nila nakikita yung mas malalim na dahilan nito. Ang sinasabi kasi nila, hindi naman na-abuse physically yung bata, hindi naman hinawakan kumbaga parang pinanood lang yung video. Pero ang sinasabi namin dito sa CHR, mas malalim epekto nito sa bata, more on the psychological aspect,&quot; he added.</p><p>The CHR Commissioner believes the government is doing enough, but underscored the importance of the community aspect in addressing OSAEC.</p><p>&quot;Sa ngayon tama naman, kumpleto sapat yung ginagawang trabaho ng ating gobyerno. Pero mas marami pa tayong pwedeng magawa para tapusin itong usapin ng online sexual abuse and exploitation of children,&quot; he said.  </p><p>&quot;Sila yung nakakakilala nung kanilang mga kapitbahay. Sila yung nakaka-monitor nung kanilang day-to-day activity. So dapat po katulong po natin yung community dito,&quot; Epres said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/27/ph-eu-officials-meet-to-intensify-efforts-vs-child-online-sexual-abuse-1518">PH, EU officials meet to intensify efforts vs child online sexual abuse</a></div><div><strong>CHR SEEKS TO REVISIT ANTI-OSAEC LAW</strong></div><p>Epres believes there is a need to revisit the Republic Act No. 11930 or the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.</p><p>Section 27 of the law mandates that victims of child sexual abuse and exploitation be offered services for rehabilitation and reintegration into society.  </p><p>But the CHR found that some children who became victims do not want their parents arrested and do not have families with financial and psychological capabilities to care for them after the traumatic event.</p><p>&quot;Meron sana provision dito sa Anti-OSAEC law na ire-reintegrate ulit nila after nilang ma-victimize, after nilang madaanan yung proseso ng pagfi-file ng cases. But then wala nga yung mga magulang nila kasi nakakulong na... Pwedeng tingnan ulit yung batas lalong-lalo na pag dating doon sa pag-reintegrate ng mga bata,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;Meron sanang ready mag-act as foster parents sa kanila. Siguro pwede tayo manawagan sa Department of Social Welfare and Development kasi sila naman po yung agency na pagdating dito sa usapin naman ng alternative care. Paano pag wala na yung magulang dahil nga nakakulong,&quot; Epres said.</p><p>The CHR&#x27;s Child Rights Center conducted fieldwork research on OSAEC in Cebu and Baguio City from September to November 2023.  </p><p>Among the key recommendations is to &quot;uphold the best interest of the child principle&quot; and avoid the victims from experiencing the same incident again.</p><p>&quot;Best interest ba yung mahiwalay yung mga bata doon sa mga magulang na naging guilty noong violation ng OSAEC at sila ay nakakulong. Yun po ang dapat sigurong ibalanse at tingnan ulit yung provision ng batas,&quot; Epres added.</p><p>&quot;First and foremost pag dating sa lahat ng usapin, lalong-lalo na kung merong conflict ano ang magiging decision sa isang policy, ang dapat tingnan natin is best interest ng child,&quot; he said.</p><p>The commission also suggested the need to improve and simplify reporting mechanisms, ensure rescue operations are &quot;child rights-based&quot; and do not resort to violence.   </p><p>CHR&#x27;s Child Rights Center&#x27;s suggestions included capacitating service providers with a human rights-based approach and ensuring child-friendly alternative care settings.</p><p>CHR also recommended that local government units and national agencies provide psychological and financial interventions for parents and guardians.</p><p>It also urged internet intermediaries to closely coordinate and share data containing CSAEM materials with concerned government agencies.</p><p>Its suggestions also included promoting non-online and recreational activities for children.</p><p>The Congressional Oversight Committee should monitor and ensure implementation of the Anti-OSAEC Law, it added. </p><p>Epres said there should be an active instead of a reactionary approach to OSAEC cases.</p><p>&quot;Dapat sana is hindi lang tayo reactionary kung di maging active ay yung ating approach dito. Dapat tingnan natin ano ba yung totoong ugat bakit ang dami na mga, I mean the demand of this kind of illegal activity,&quot; he said.</p><p>The CHR, in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University&#x27;s Office for Social Concern and Involvement (OSCI-ADMU), held a forum entitled Solidarity for Child Protection.  </p><p>Epres said the forum aims to raise awareness and discuss possible measures on how to address the rising cases of OSAEC in the country, as well as the growing number of internally displaced children.</p><p>The CHR said they are closely coordinating with the Department of Justice and other relevant agencies, especially in referring cases of OSAEC.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/2024/8/9/marcos-orders-creation-of-office-vs-online-sexual-abuse-of-children-1304">Marcos orders creation of office vs online sexual abuse of children</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1DcAmNZUVKc?si=-rBg3AZGFWU0tRk0" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday cautioned the public against uploading photos of minors on social media platforms, following reports of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).</p>

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Monday cautioned the public against uploading photos of minors on social media platforms, following reports of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

CHR warns vs posting children's pics online amid rise in abuse cases

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

CHR warns vs posting children's pics online amid rise in abuse cases

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 16, 2025 03:49 PM PHT

Read More:

Commission on Human Rights

Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children

ABSnews

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.