THE PHILIPPINES has officially launched its first multiyear national strategy aimed at combating online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, marking a significant step in strengthening child protection in the digital space.

The First Philippine Strategic Plan Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) for 2025–2028 was formally unveiled by the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the launch signals a unified, whole-of-nation commitment to eliminate online sexual abuse and exploitation of children through coordinated prevention, protection, enforcement, and partnership efforts.

A key highlight of the event was the Digital Activation Launch, which underscored the country’s resolve to protect every Filipino child in an increasingly digital environment.

The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including representatives from the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as DOJ and Department of Social Welfare and Development undersecretaries.

National and international partners were also present, reflecting the importance of a multisectoral approach to online child protection. Among them were representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund, the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children, and the United Nations Population Fund.

DOJ Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty described the strategic plan as “a solemn covenant of the Philippine government” to shield children from harm in the digital age.

Emphasizing the need for modernization, survivor-centered justice, and stronger digital accountability, Ty called for urgent and coordinated national action.

“Criminals are using technology to move faster and hide deeper. Our response must be faster, smarter, and more coordinated than the threats we face,” Ty said in his keynote address.

“Protecting children online is not the responsibility of a single office; it is the shared duty of an entire nation,” he added.

The plan was officially approved by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking in September 2025 and serves as a gender-responsive, child-sensitive, and disability-inclusive roadmap. It was developed by the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM in line with its mandate under Republic Act 11930.

The strategic plan envisions a future where “every child is free from online sexual abuse, online sexual exploitation, and all forms of sexual abuse or exploitation materials.” Its mission is to safeguard, protect, and empower children through a holistic and coordinated approach that prioritizes their best interests and access to justice.

It focuses on four key result areas: prevention and advocacy; protection and response; law enforcement, prosecution, and compliance; and partnerships and networking.