GABRIELA Women’s Party-list Representative Arlene Brosas filed a resolution urging a congressional probe on the rising cases of sexual abuse among children online ahead of the visit of United Nations special rapporteur.

Under House Resolution 579, the lawmaker wants the proliferation of child abuse materials in various social media platforms investigated, especially amid reports that Facebook groups are being used to sell photos and videos of minors.

“We find it alarming that the Philippines remains the global hotspot of child sexual abuse materials over the years, hinting at failure of government interventions to curb the operations of sexual predators who profit from abuse and exploitation of children. Dapat nang mahinto ito,” Brosas said.

“While we have recently passed the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law, this is not enough indication that we are decisively on track. We need to look into how various agencies are doing their part to curb OSAEC, in time for the visit of UN special rapporteur Mama Fatima Singhateh,” she added.

The lawmaker said the harrowing offenses committed by Australian Peter Gerard Scully on Philippine soil is a grim reminder that OSAEC operations have been going on in the country for years.

“Scully’s prosecution is a cause for celebration, yet we cannot deny the fact that much needs to be done to protect Filipino children, especially young girls, from sexual violence and abuse,” she added.