Quezon City Ramps Up Efforts to Combat Online Child Exploitation
Quezon City Government has significantly strengthened its initiatives to protect children from online sexual abuse and exploitation (OSAEC), focusing on equipping frontline responders with advanced skills to address these critical crimes effectively. City officials highlight that robust reporting systems are already in place, with residents encouraged to use Hotline 122 for immediate assistance on child-protection concerns.
Comprehensive Training for Enhanced Response
In collaboration with the International Justice Mission (IJM), the city conducted specialized training sessions for law enforcers, social workers, health professionals, and other first responders. The Multi-Disciplinary Team–Basic Internet Crimes Against Children (MDT–Bicac) training empowered over 40 participants with a deeper understanding of OSAEC offenses, often known locally as “chat-chat” or “show.”
Key training components included safe evidence handling and providing trauma-informed care for affected children. The program was delivered in two phases: the first from November 5–6, 2025, and the second from January 28–30, 2026. Support for this initiative came from multiple organizations, including the Philippine Children’s Ministries Network, the Philippine National Police-Women and Children Protection Center, the Department of Justice, and PLDT & Smart Communications.
Breaking the Silence on OSAEC
IJM’s 2023 Scale of Harm study reveals a troubling normalization of OSAEC in some communities, where livestreamed sexual abuse for money often goes unreported due to a culture of silence. The study estimates that nearly half a million Filipino children were potentially victimized in 2022 alone.
Barbie, a survivor leader and advocate, emphasized the challenges of reporting in environments where people are conditioned to “mind their own business.” She stated, “I have lived through the cost of silence, and I have also seen how reporting can protect a child and awaken a whole community to take responsibility. Speaking up is not interference, it is an act of care.”
Expanded Support and Legal Frameworks
Beyond Hotline 122, residents can access the Quezon City Protection Center at 8863-0800 local 714, which offers comprehensive services such as medical care, counseling, legal aid, and temporary shelter for survivors and their families. The city has enacted an Anti-OSAEC Ordinance in 2023 to bolster child protection and enable faster responses to abuse cases.
Recent initiatives include the 17th Ako Para sa Bata Conference, which gathered experts to develop strategies against online child abuse, and the Survivor Annual Gathering, focusing on restoration for OSAEC survivors. Mayor Joy Belmonte urged vigilance, saying, “Our frontliners are fully prepared to respond swiftly and provide the protection and support every child deserves. We cannot allow this crime to persist in our city.”
Community Role in Prevention and Reporting
Evelyn Pingul, IJM Philippines Community Engagement Director, echoed the importance of community involvement, noting that reporting is crucial as OSAEC often occurs behind closed doors. IJM’s nationwide campaign, “Bayang Walang Bahid ng OSAEC,” aims to break the silence and encourage reporting of suspicious activities.
Since 2011, IJM-supported cases have led to the arrest of at least 459 individuals and the rescue of nearly 1,700 victims and at-risk children across the Philippines. The MDT–Bicac training aligns with broader efforts to uphold Republic Act 11930, the primary law against online sexual exploitation of children, covering areas like legal frameworks, investigative techniques, and media engagement.
Additional reporting channels include the PNP Women and Children Protection Center’s “Aleng Pulis” helpline via Facebook or phone (0966 725 5961 for Globe, 0920 907 1717 for Smart) and the IACAT 1343 Actionline.
