SENATOR Christopher ‘Bong’ Go called for a more comprehensive, whole-of-nation approach to put a stop to the growing cases of online sexual exploitation of children in order to protect the welfare of the youth during these challenging times.

“Hindi po rason ang kahirapan para ibenta ang kaluluwa. Gabayan natin ang mga bata na hindi malulong sa masasamang gawain para lang makaraos sa kahirapan. Huwag natin hayaang maligaw ng landas ang mga kabataan na pag-asa ng ating bayan,” the senator stressed.

Go made the appeal in light of the proliferation of reported cases of online sexual exploitation of children during the pandemic and at the same time, in an effort to follow Malacanang’s marching order to sanction erring internet service providers.

Likewise, the senator urged Congress to exercise oversight on relevant laws that must be enforced to protect minors.

To strengthen the protective measures against child sexual abuse, Go filed Senate Bill No. 1650 last year, seeking to amend Republic Act No. 7610, also known as the ‘Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act’.

The bill aims to modify the Anti-Child Abuse Law concerning the penalty for persons engaging in lascivious conduct with minors under 12 years of age by increasing the penalty to reclusion temporal in its medium period, to reclusion perpetua for any individual found guilty of violating the law under the said provision.

Go earlier filed Senate Bill 1649 or the Bureau of Immigration Modernization Act of 2020, which aims to enhance and upgrade the outdated immigration system to cope with the changing times by providing a better system of documentation, and updating the prescribed procedures and requirements for admitting immigrants.

The bill also prohibits the entry of pedophiles, sexual perverts, and persons engaged in prostitution into the country, citing moral grounds.

It likewise denies entry to foreign nationals convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or suspected to be engaged in human trafficking.

“Siguraduhin natin na naiimplementa ang mga batas na poprotekta sa ating kabataan. Kung kailangang taasan ang parusa o higpitan pa lalo ang ating mga patakaran ay gawin natin para maitigil ang ganitong pang-aabuso,” explained Go.

Moreover, the senator said that while it is important to address these illegal activities by going after those responsible, and also those who tolerate such immoral acts through their online platforms, it is necessary for guardians too, to provide proper guidance to vulnerable children.

“Hindi pa nila ganap na naiintindihan kung paano masisira ang buhay nila sa ganitong mga gawain para lang sa pera. Responsibilidad nating siguraduhin na magiging maayos ang kanilang kinabukasan,” he added.

“Kaya mahalaga na habang sinusugpo natin ang gawaing ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpataw ng kaukulang parusa, dapat gabayan natin ang ating mga kabataan at tulungan ang kanilang mga pamilyang makaahon sa kahirapan,” he added.

Earlier, Go called on authorities to look into the online sale of lewd photos and videos of some Filipino students reported by The POST as he urged law enforcement agencies to strengthen the government’s anti-cybercrime campaign.

“I am calling on concerned agencies to provide necessary interventions to put a stop to this.  Alarming ito, lalo na’t ang kalaswaan na ito ay dulot din ng kahirapan,” Go said.