Senators eye wider digital tools vs online threats to children
MANILA – Senators on Wednesday moved to strengthen a proposed child online protection
During plenary deliberations on Senate Bill No. 1819, or the proposed Child Online Protection and Safety Act, Senator Risa Hontiveros, the principal sponsor and author of the measure, said amendments are being prepared to equip law enforcement agencies with investigative tools similar to those used against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
The proposed changes came in the wake of recent school violence in Tacloban and Zamboanga, which prompted lawmakers and child protection advocates to examine whether online influences may be contributing to violent behavior among minors.
“Pagkatapos pa lamang ng Tacloban, my staff gathered anti-OSAEC stakeholders to ask an important question – mayroon ba tayong pwedeng maipasok sa bill na ito at nasa advanced stage na – na kagyat na matutugunan ang malaking problemang bunsod ng nihilistic violent extremism (After Tacloban, my staff gathered anti-OSAEC stakeholders to ask an important question – is there something we can include in this bill, which is already at an advanced stage, that could immediately address the major problem caused by nihilistic violent extremism),” Hontiveros said.
She said the proposed amendments would allow investigators to issue subpoenas for subscriber and traffic data, preserve digital evidence, retain information that could help identify additional victims and suspects, and conduct broader intelligence gathering and undercover online operations.
The measure would also establish a common information-sharing architecture among Philippine law enforcement and investigative agencies and permit direct coordination with foreign authorities when cases have an international connection.
“These new amendments would allow the issuance of investigative subpoenas for subscriber and traffic data information, provide greater tools for wider intelligence gathering and undercover online operations, require the preservation of digital evidence including the retention of evidence to identify additional victims and suspects,” Hontiveros said.
She said the broader powers are consistent with the planned renaming of the measure to the Child Online Protection and Safety Act, recognizing that threats faced by children online extend beyond sexual exploitation.
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian backed the move, citing the possible influence of the internet and social media in recent violent incidents involving students.
“Gamitin natin itong pagkakataon na mahinto, maiwaksi, tuldukan na po itong impluensya nitong nihilistic violence para hindi na maulit sa ating mga kabataan at ating mga paaralan (Let us use this opportunity to stop and put an end to the influence of nihilistic violence so it will no longer be repeated among our youth and in our schools),” Gatchalian said.
Senator Joel Villanueva likewise expressed support for the measure, saying lawmakers have an opportunity to act following the recent tragedies and help protect young Filipinos from emerging online threats.
Senator Pia Cayetano, meanwhile, said she intends to raise clarificatory questions and proposed changes while supporting efforts to improve the substitute bill.
Senate Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri described the measure as an important Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council priority, noting the country's continuing struggle with cases of online sexual exploitation of children.
Hontiveros appealed for the measure's immediate passage as lawmakers work to broaden its reach against both online sexual predators and individuals who use digital platforms to manipulate children into committing violent acts.
“A solution is forthcoming. I ask my colleagues once more to support the immediate passage of this measure. Let us save our children,” she said. (PNA)
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