The Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP-ACG) has signed an agreement with the Council for Welfare of Children (CWC) to expand the government’s law enforcement response on online abuses against Filipino children. PNP-ACG director Brig. Gen.
Ronnie Francis Cariaga said the agreement with the CWC would pave the way to police action on all the complaints and requests for assistance through the MAKABATA Helpline 1383. The helpline is being managed by the CWC on cases relating to Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). It receives reports of any form of child abuse via call, email, or social media.
The reports received are being referred to the PNP-ACG for appropriate action. “This is part of the government's campaign to combat this heinous crime. Through this agreement, we hope to address the surging number of OSAEC and CSAEM victims, particularly modeling scams and child beauty pageants that have sexually abused and exploited children,” said Cariaga.
Based on the latest data, at least 66 recorded child victims in the first half of the year 2024 alone based on records of the PNP-ACG and CWC. Both the PNP-ACG and the CWC warned parents, guardians, and children that photos, videos, and other recording materials of pageants or activities featuring children may circulate online and could never be fully taken down as copies of which may be re-uploaded. “Parents are also reminded of the importance of responsible online parenting, urging them to be mindful of what they share about their children online, especially if it includes geolocation tags that reveal their exact address or location,” said Cariaga.
He then urged the public to report immediately any sexually abusive materials involving children or those that could be exploited online to: 1. WCCPU’s AlengPulis Cybersquad at mobile number 09688964759; 2. MAKABATA Helpline 1383 through mobile numbers 09193541383 and 09158022375; 3.
email address [email protected] ; 4. Facebook page Makabata Helpline; 5. Instagram account makabata_helpline; 6.
website www.cwc.gov.
ph ; 7. and eGov mobile app..
