MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice Office of Cybercrime (OOC) issued today its 13-page advisory warning internet users of the problem of online child abuse.
“We are deeply concerned of the welfare of children falling victims to abuses and crimes with the use of internet. It is the duty of the State, the family and each one of us to protect our most vulnerable sector,” said Secretary Leila M. De Lima. “It is a call for Internet service providers (ISPs) to comply with the law to block or filter such abusive materials,” she said.
Republic Act No. 9775 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009 provides that all ISPs shall install available technology, program or software to ensure that access to or transmittal of any form of child pornography will be blocked or filtered. It has never been enforced.
Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012 also provides Child Pornography as one of the punishable acts under Section 4(c)(2) and increases the penalty by one (1) degree higher than that provided for in RA No. 9775 if committed through a computer system.
“Online child abuse is our number one priority. There is no doubt that it is wrong and illegal,” said Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy, Head of the Office of Cybercrime.
The DOJ is an institutional member of the Inter-Agency Council against Child Pornography established by RA 9775 Section 22 of the law also treats child pornography as a transnational crime.
A copy of the Advisory can be downloaded at http://doj.gov.ph/files/cybercrime_office/Advisory on Online Child Abuse.pdf
DOJ issues advisory on online child abuse
