Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture Chairman Sherwin Gatchalian is now knocking on the doors of authorities regarding the alleged rampant online sexual exploitation of students.
According to reports received by the senator, there were students who had a “Christmas sale” of their sensual photos and videos in social media sold for at least ₱150 which will be used to buy gadgets or to pay for internet bill to support online learning.
“Nakakabahalang dahil sa mga suliraning dinudulot ng pandemya, ang ating mga kabataan ay nahaharap sa matinding panganib na maging biktima ng pang-aabuso at karahasan (It is alarming that our youth are faced with the danger of becoming victims of abuse and violence due to the impact of the pandemic),” Gatchalian stated.
“Pinagsasamantalahan ng mga masasamang-loob ang pangangailangan ng ating mga mag-aaral at dapat itong labanan ng ating pamahalaan (Perpetrators are taking advantage of the needs of students and this should be addressed by the government),” he added.
The Department of Education (DepEd) assured that it will “fully cooperate” with the Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography and with efforts to “prevent and address pornography among learners.”
“We have conducted cybersafety training programs in schools to protect our learners from online abuse, violence, exploration, discrimination, and bullying,” it further stated.
Child protection units or offices were also created to boost child protection committees in schools.
According to the DepEd, gadgets or internet connections are not mandatory for distance learning and there are also public school “implementing other alternative distance learning modalities such as modular, radio, and TV-based instruction.”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has already directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe and put a stop on such trend.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police has urged guardians to file a complaint before they can act, saying that it is not easy for authorities to get into one’s personal social media account where the online sex trade takes place. – Report from Kenneth Paciente
