NATIONAL Authority for Child Care Chairperson Janella Ejercito Estrada lauded the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act 11930 or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act.

Ejercito said that the laws will help unmask sex offenders who prey on children on the internet.

“For years, regulation of ICT and digital technologies have been elusive that it became a tool for criminal activities including sexual abuse/exploitation of our children. It has been frustrating for us especially that even parents were reported to exploit their children for a buck in ways unimaginable,” Ejercito said.

“The OSAEC and CSAEM Act will unmask them, penalize them and offer no forgiveness. We will ensure the likes of them do not perpetuate in our society and that they live the rest of their lives behind bars,” she added.

Under the OSAEC and CSAEM Act, any attempt to sexually exploit children — whether it be physically or online — is prohibited.

Sex scams and influencing a child to commit online sex whether compensated or not are also prohibited.

Internet platforms and intermediaries, its subscribers, payment platforms and individuals who willingly share child sexual abuse or exploitation materials will also be held liable.

The new law and its IRR will penalize offenders from 12 years and one day to lifetime imprisonment with fines ranging from P100,000 to P20 million.