The youngest victim is reported to be as young as three months, with other victims primarily being teenagers or younger.
(Photo from PNP Women and Children Protection Center)
Atty. Margarita Magsaysay, the executive director of the DOJ Center for Anti-Online Child Sexual Abuse, stated their investigations revealed a widespread issue of online sexual abuse and exploitation specifically targeting impoverished children in these three locations. Exploitative materials focused on children were also found in these cities.
"They (the impoverished children) are being targeted because OSAEC (online sexual abuse and exploitation of children) is financially lucrative. The victims are enticed with P200 or P300 just for showing CSAEM (child sexual abuse and exploitation materials), such as nude pictures. That's how bad it is," said Magsaysay.
She finds it alarming that access to these nude pictures of children is becoming easier and their cost is diminishing. The Philippines, she added, is becoming a favored source of such materials for abusive foreigners.
It was found that the primary consumers of these sexual materials are older men from affluent, English-speaking countries in the West.
The DOJ has announced that the identified cities and provinces with rampant online child sexual abuse and exploitation will be the focus of their operations.
