An international human rights organization has lauded the Bacolod City government for its proactive measures against the Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), a severe cybercrime where traffickers livestream the sexual abuse of minors for profit.
A multi-disciplinary team of over 40 frontliners — including law enforcers, social workers, prosecutors, educators, health officers, information officers, and child protection advocates — will now work together to combat OSAEC in the city, a press release from the Bacolod City Communications Office (BCCO) said on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
Mayor Greg Gasataya expressed optimism that this initiative, in partnership with the International Justice Mission (IJM), will enhance the city’s fight against online child abuse.
“We will never tolerate online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in our city. Our frontliners are fully prepared to hold traffickers accountable, rescue and rehabilitate victims, and send a powerful message of justice to both active and potential perpetrators,” he said.
The mayor urged everyone to remain vigilant, as this crime is often committed within homes.
“Report it immediately to ensure the timely rescue of victims,” Gasataya said.
The IJM recently conducted the Multi-Disciplinary Team – Basic Internet Crimes Against Children (MDT–BICAC) training, equipping participants with essential knowledge on Internet-based crimes targeting minors, particularly OSAEC.
OSAEC involves trafficking children to produce sexual exploitation materials, including livestreamed abuse, for financial gain. Often, family members or trusted individuals perpetrate the crime, connecting with offenders abroad, the BCCO said.
Unlike other forms of trafficking, OSAEC often occurs inside the victim’s home, making detection more challenging and necessitating proactive law enforcement and community vigilance. In some areas, these crimes are deceptively referred to as “show” or “show me”, it added.
Lovelie Faith Endomo-Forcadilla, IJM’s Special Counsel for Interventions, commended Gasataya’s dedication to child protection, highlighting the creation of the Bacolod SAFE Hotline (Support and Action for Families in Emergency) via an executive order.
The SAFE Hotline aims to streamline reporting and response mechanisms for cases involving gender-based violence, children in need of special protection, and other social welfare concerns, the BCCO said.
Forcadilla said “the Bacolod LGU has been very supportive in the fight against OSAEC. They have successfully passed an anti-OSAEC ordinance and recently established the SAFE Hotline to provide a local reporting mechanism for these cases.”
According to a 2022 prevalence study by IJM and the University of Nottingham Rights Lab, nearly half a million Filipino children—approximately 1 in every 100—have been trafficked to produce sexual exploitation materials for profit.
Evelyn G. Pingul, IJM Philippines’ Community Engagement Director, said “local government units are the first line of defense against online sexual exploitation of children. Bacolod City’s commitment and initiatives are truly commendable and set a strong example for other LGUs”.
“The Philippines’ Tier 1 ranking in the 2025 US Trafficking in Persons Report reflects our national dedication to combating human trafficking. Bacolod’s leadership demonstrates how local governments can translate that commitment into real protection for children,” she added.*