Senate OKs bill vs sexual abuse, exploitation of children on 3rd reading

The Senate on Thursday approved on third and final reading a bill providing special protections against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

Voting 23-0-0, the Senate unanimously approved Senate Bill 2209.

SB 2209 defines and penalizes OSAEC as a specific crime, and distinct from offenses under Republic Act 7610 or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act and RA 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act.

It also builds on gains on RA 9775 or the Anti Child Pornography Act of 2009.

The measure likewise provides additional tools for the law enforcers to pursue perpetrators of OSAEC, particularly those who are anonymous on various online platforms.

SB 2209 imposes additional duties on internet intermediaries, including social media networks like Facebook, such as the blocking and removal of child sexual abuse or exploitation material within 24 hours from receipt of notice, the preservation of evidence in their possession, and the development and adoption of systems and procedures for preventing, blocking, detecting and reporting of OSAEC cases.

This will likewise prohibit the entry into the Philippines of all convicted perpetrators of OSAEC or similar and equivalent crimes in other states.

Those being monitored by the Philippine government for conducting OSAEC are also barred from entering the country.

SB 2209 also seeks to create a National Coordination Center Against OSAEC (NCC-OSAEC) which shall be lodged under the Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and shall be the point-of-contact and coordination system for the receipt of cyber-tipline reports.

This bill also mandates a gender-responsive, age-appropriate, child-friendly, victim-centered, and trauma-informed set of protocols for reporting, detecting, investigating, prosecuting, and providing aftercare assistance and support in OSAEC cases.—AOL, GMA News