FORMER Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar called for a collective action from the government and public to protect children against online sexual exploitation.

Eleazar, who used to head the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, raised concern about the rampant sexual abuse and exploitation of minor through Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Snapchat, and the likes.

He said there were instances when the illicit acts were live-streamed for paid views.

“Hindi tayo papayag na maging playground ng mga pedophile at ibang sex predators ang ating bansa. Titiyakin natin na may paglalagyan ang mga taong ito pati na ang mga magulang na nasisikmurang kunsintihin ito, at mga taong pinagkakaperahan ito,” Eleazar said.

“Kasabay ng pagbabago ng teknolohiya ay naging makabago na rin ang pamamaraan ng child trafficking. Kaya naman dapat ay tiyakin ang pagpapatupad ng batas, palakasin ang kakayahan ng mga nagpapatupad ng batas at kung kinakailangang palakasin ang batas ay gagawin natin ito,” he added.

To address rising cases of child abuse during the pandemic, Eleazar said that government should ensure the strict implementation of laws criminalizing offences related to child sexual exploitation and abuse.

He vowed to push for legislation that will enhance the training and expertise of special police units to respond to such crimes.

“Dapat ay lalo pa nating higpitan ang pagpapatupad ng mga batas para mapigilan ang sekswal na pang-aabuso sa ating mga kabataan. Palalakasin din natin ang training ng ating specialized units sa iba’t ibang law enforcement agencies para madagdagan ang kanilang kapabilidad na pigilan at rumesponde sa mga ganitong gawain,” Eleazar said.