PLDT-led PROTECTA Pilipinas is calling for stronger Philippine laws and closer coordination among government agencies, telecommunications companies, financial technology firms, schools, and communities to protect children from online violence and exploitation.
The multi-stakeholder alliance wants existing measures against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM) expanded to cover newer threats, including harmful online communities.
The Philippines already has laws, reporting channels, and programs addressing online child exploitation. However, PROTECTA said recent cases show that these safeguards must adapt as offenders find new platforms and methods to reach children.
“Protecting the connectivity that Filipinos depend on includes protecting the people, especially the children, who rely on that connectivity every single day,” said Atty. Roy D. Ibay, Smart VP and Head of Regulatory Affairs and lead convenor of PROTECTA. “When we talk about infrastructure resilience, we usually think of disasters, cable theft, and cyberattacks. But another kind of resilience we must build is resilience against the exploitation of the children who use these networks to learn, play, and connect with the world.”
Ibay called for wider reporting and coordination systems, consistent adoption of tools against online child exploitation, stronger legal protections, and the inclusion of fintech companies in the discussion. Financial platforms can play an important role because payments may be used in transactions involving online abuse.
“No single actor can secure our digital ecosystem alone. Protecting Filipino children online will take government, industry, civil society, and communities working as one alliance,” Ibay said.
“Telcos have a moral responsibility to our people, especially the children. This forum is important to us because we need clear guidance to know when and how we’re going to shut down these evil platforms,” said Menardo Jimenez Jr., COO, PLDT. “We’re not talking about numbers here. We don’t need a million kids groomed before we do something. All it takes is one kid, because that can be your kid. Telcos are not here to play God. We’re here to protect kids being brainwashed and directed to commit hideous acts.”
Participants also stressed that measures against online harm must respect privacy, due process, and other rights.
“The objective should not be to keep children away from technology, but to ensure that they can access and participate in the digital environment safely, meaningfully, and in an age-appropriate manner,” said Usec. Angelo Tapales of the Council for the Welfare of Children. “Children should not have to choose between being connected and being safe. Our responsibility is to make the digital environment safer for every child.”
The forum included officials from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center and the PNP Women and Children Protection Center, along with representatives from education, media, mental health, and the private sector.
Spearheaded by PLDT, PROTECTA Pilipinas is a multi-stakeholder alliance that brings together government, industry, and communities to strengthen cyber resilience, protect critical infrastructure, and promote a safer digital environment for Filipinos.