SENATOR Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday lauded the passage of Republic Act 11930, otherwise known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) Law.

The bill was authored and sponsored by Hontiveros in the Senate and lapsed into law last July 30, 2022.

“Napakasaya ko na sa wakas ay naisabatas na ang Anti-OSAEC Law. Mas dumami ang exploitative materials online lalo na nitong pandemic kaya kailangang ma-implement na agad ang batas. Urgent action is always needed when it comes to the protection of our children,” Hontiveros said.

The law increases the responsibilities of social media platforms, electronic service providers, as well as internet and financial intermediaries, requiring these stakeholders to block and preserve OSAEC materials and cooperate with law enforcement agents.

It also grants additional tools to law enforcers when surveilling and investigating OSAEC cases.

Under the law, the National Coordinating Center against OSAEC and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Material will be established and will be under the Inter Agency Council against Trafficking.

“Dahil sa bilis ng teknolohiya, mabilis din na nag-eevolve ang paraan ng mga predators sa pambibiktima online. Ayon sa aming mga sources, may mga bagong linggwahe na rin silang ginagamit sa social media na hindi agad nadedetect ng ating law enforcers. Sa bagong batas, layon nating mapalakas ang kapasidad ng mga ahensyang may responsibilidad sa mga kasong ito,” Hontiveros said.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga netizens na masipag na nagrereport sa mga nakikita nilang krimen online. Dahil sa active nilang pag-tag sa akin, naflaflag natin ang Facebook, NBI, at PNP para maaksyunan agad. This kind of participation is always welcome, nabibigyan naman ako ng pag-asa when I see the private sector, our law enforcement agencies, and civil society coming together for the best interest of every Filipino child,” she added.