SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is calling for a Senate inquiry into the proliferation of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the country, with the goal of strengthening measures to create a safer online environment and hold perpetrators accountable.

Through Senate Resolution 1229, Gatchalian seeks to improve international cooperation for data sharing and cross-border prosecution while ensuring the accountability of digital platforms, including social media companies, in detecting and removing harmful content. He also advocates for comprehensive public awareness campaigns to educate communities.

“It is imperative to strengthen international cooperation to improve data-sharing and cross-border prosecution, enhance the accountability of digital platforms, including social media companies, to proactively detect and remove harmful content, and implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns educating communities,” Gatchalian said.

He also emphasized the need to ensure functional child protection systems that address reporting, response, prosecution, and rehabilitation for victims of online abuse.

“The proliferation of OSAEC gravely threatens the safety and welfare of Filipino children,” Gatchalian stated. “The Senate must ensure that all stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, national and local government, and the private sector, prioritize child protection and support a united front against the exploitation of children in all forms.”