SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Thursday called on the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography to boost efforts to curb the sexual exploitation of children online.

He cited the need for the continuous monitoring of internet service providers’ compliance with  Republic Act 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.

Gatchalian made the call following reports on the surge of sexual harassment online.

The senator filed Senate Bill 1794 which seeks to strengthen Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 as amended by Republic Act 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012.

The bill aims to improve standards, guidelines, and methodologies on the surveillance, interception, investigation, and prosecution of different forms of human trafficking.

Under the measure, regional trial courts can authorize law enforcers to conduct surveillance and record communications and information involving persons charged with or suspected of trafficking.

“Ang pagdami ng mga aktibidad na may kinalaman sa online sexual abuse laban sa mga kabataan ay naging parang isa na ring pandemya na kailangan nating masugpo. Maliban sa patuloy na pagtugis sa mga gumagawa ng mga krimeng ito, kailangan din nating patatagin ang ating mga batas upang mailigtas natin ang maraming nanganganib na mga kabataan,“ Gatchalian said.

The IACAT has reported that online tips on alleged OSEC activities rose to 1.2 million in 2020 or triple the 400,000 recorded in 2019.

Enforcement activities also increased last year. The Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center rescued 172 victims in 2020, higher than the 120 rescued in 2019.

The number of victims that the National Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division rescued also rose from four in 2019 to 19 in 2020.