GABRIELA Women’s Party has called for swift action following reports suggesting that Norway may be among the Western countries with the highest demand for child sexual abuse or exploitation materials, primarily targeting Filipino children from low-income families.

“It is absolutely horrifying that the Philippines has become a global hotspot for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children. The Marcos Jr. administration’s negligence and misplaced priorities have created a perfect storm where predators operate with impunity while our children suffer,” stated Sarah Elago, GABRIELA Women’s Party’s first nominee.

Elago emphasized that the government’s failure to enforce stringent protective measures has enabled foreign perpetrators to repeatedly engage in live-streamed child sexual abuse, particularly targeting children from impoverished communities.

“Instead of allocating sufficient funds for child protection programs and social services, this administration continues to prioritize military spending. This misallocation of resources directly contributes to making our children more vulnerable to exploitation, especially during this economic crisis,” Elago pointed out.

The group called for an immediate review and strengthening of laws, increased funding for child protection, and a comprehensive monitoring system to track and prosecute offenders. “The internet should not be a playground for predators, and our children’s welfare should not be sacrificed due to government negligence,” Elago added.

They also urged a thorough investigation of these cases and stronger mechanisms for international cooperation to prosecute foreign perpetrators, as well as prioritizing social protection and poverty alleviation programs to address the root causes of children’s vulnerability to exploitation.