The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomes the action of both houses of Congress to separately ratify on Monday, 23 May the bicameral conference committee report on the disagreeing provisions of Senate Bill (SB) 2209 and House Bill (HB) 10703 or the proposed Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act. With the final version that reconciles the disagreeing provisions of SB 2209 and HB 10703, the Anti-OSAEC bill is one step closer to becoming a law pending the Chief Executive’s signature.

The Anti-OSAEC bill if enacted into law strengthens protection for children against OSAEC-related crimes by requiring internet intermediaries and other internet or payment service providers to take down or remove websites the stream illegal content of abuse of minors. Also included are the provision for stiffer penalties for those involved in cases of child abuse and the formation of the National Coordinating Center against OSAEC and CSAEM under the Inter Agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT) to better coordinate government response to OSAEC cases.

The enactment of this bill emphasizes the overall obligations of the State to protect of young people from all forms of abuse. As the country’s Gender Ombud, the Commission fully supports this proposed measure and we welcome specific provisions of the bill which provides child-victims access to psycho-social help and grant greater tools to law enforcers in consideration of the complexities of the internet and the dark web.

The CHR has high hopes that this proposed legislation will be urgently enacted to address the pressing issues surrounding the increasing number of cases involving children. Their plight deserves urgent action by the government to ensure additional protection for the most vulnerable members of society to abuse.