Senator Risa Hontiveros is pushing for faster passage of a proposed law that would give law enforcers stronger tools to investigate online grooming and recruitment into violence, citing the latest school shooting in South Cotabato.
Hontiveros said Monday that the shooting at Banga National High School underscored the need to strengthen the government’s ability to address nihilistic violent extremism (NVE), particularly activities conducted through online platforms.
“Huwag po natin payagan na masabotahe ang pagpasa ng batas na ito. We cannot afford to delay any longer. Habang hindi ito napapasa, napipilayan ang ating mga law enforcers sa pagpigil sa pagkalat ng NVE sa bansa (Let us not allow the passage of this law to be sabotaged. We cannot afford to delay any longer. While it remains unpassed, our law enforcers are handicapped in preventing the spread of NVE in the country),” she said in a news release.
Under the proposed Sagip Bata Act, investigators handling NVE cases would be authorized to formally request subscriber and traffic data and conduct online intelligence-gathering and undercover operations.
The measure would also strengthen coordination with foreign law-enforcement agencies, particularly for cases involving online platforms and users operating outside the Philippines.
It would require age assurance and age verification and impose additional compliance requirements on technology platforms. Platforms would also be required to designate a legal representative in the Philippines who could receive subpoenas, takedown and blocking orders, requests for account information and other lawful directives.
Hontiveros said the proposal aims to prevent online groomers from operating without accountability and protect children from being recruited or exposed to violent activities.
“Huwag nating hayaang pakalat-kalat lang ang mga groomers online nang walang takot. Ipakita natin na mahuhuli sila at mananagot sa kasamaang dinudulot nila sa ating mga anak (Let us not allow groomers to roam freely online without fear. Let us show them that they will be caught and held accountable for the harm they cause our children). These groomers have to pay the price,” she said.
The Sagip Bata Act seeks to strengthen the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act by addressing emerging online threats, including NVE.
Hontiveros said the measure is among the priority proposals of the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council and expressed confidence that its enactment could move quickly once it clears the Senate.
“May responsibilidad tayo na protektahan ang ating kabataan, at wala tayong dapat ipagpaliban pa (We have a responsibility to protect our youth, and we should no longer delay),” she said.
Photo courtesy of Inquirer.net
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