Hontiveros seeks probe into online child sexual abuse

FILE: Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros. (Photo: Senator Risa Hontiveros/Facebook)

By Wilnard Bacelonia, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution urging the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, which she also chairs, to launch an inquiry into the surge of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Senate Resolution No. 1307, which she filed Monday, highlighted the proliferation of criminal networks operating through chat platforms and electronic wallets.

The resolution raised concerns about how end-to-end encryption, while offering privacy for legitimate users, has allowed sexual predators to evade law enforcement.

“The use of encrypted messaging and anonymous payment channels enables criminals to operate under the radar, making it even harder for authorities to track down offenders,” Hontiveros said in the resolution.

She said stronger policies and enforcement mechanisms are needed to combat online child exploitation, urging Senate to look into the role of digital payment platforms in facilitating illicit transactions.

Hontiveros said the national government should strengthen monitoring mechanisms for encrypted chat platforms and enhance cybersecurity measures to identify and dismantle online abuse networks.

A report by cybersecurity research group Deep Web Konek showed that over 100 private online channels dedicated to illicit content exist.

One of the largest channels had over 100,000 members and hosted more than 40,000 digital files, including explicit videos and images of minors.

Transactions were primarily conducted through e-wallets such as GCash, with mule accounts and disposable digital wallets used to obscure the money trail.

Some cases involved parents selling exploitative content of their own children, with one woman allegedly distributing over 200 illicit files featuring her own child.