Photo by CNA
The Philippines is currently grappling with being ranked second globally in cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). During a budget hearing in the Senate, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) Deputy Executive Director Asec. Mary Rose Magsaysay revealed this troubling statistic, with India taking the top spot in OSAEC cases worldwide.
Due to the prevalence of online sexual abuse of minors, some countries consider the Philippines as having “unethical” internet users. This ranking is particularly alarming considering the Philippines is a developing nation, and there are many more impoverished countries.
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian expressed shock at the Philippines’ second-place ranking, highlighting the nation’s economic challenges and the lack of resources to bolster cybersecurity and combat online predators.
Additionally, Magsaysay noted that the United Nations has labeled the Philippines as a “hotbed” or hub for online scams, particularly those associated with Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). These illegal activities often remain concealed within POGOs, making them difficult to eradicate.
