Latest news with #Anti-TraffickinginPersonsAct
GMA Network
18-07-2025
- GMA Network
CHR seeks swift prosecution of child sellers
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday called for the immediate prosecution of perpetrators of child selling, including through online platforms. CHR issued the statement in light of the case of a one-month-old child sold online. 'CHR expresses grave concern and vehemently condemns the ongoing practice of child selling in the country. The sale of children—even by their own parents, and regardless of intent—is a clear violation of Philippine law and constitutes child trafficking, punishable under Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act) and Republic Act No. 9208, as amended (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act),' it said. 'The government should immediately strengthen the monitoring and regulation of online platforms, enhance surveillance and investigative capabilities, as well as swiftly prosecute these perpetrators of child trafficking,' it added. In addition, the commission urgently called on the Philippine government to uphold its obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Article 35 of the UNCRC provides that all state parties should 'take all appropriate measures to prevent the abduction, sale, or trafficking of children,' given that 'these acts represent grave human rights violations that must be addressed with utmost urgency.' 'Let us stand united against the exploitation of children. No child should ever be bought, sold, or treated as a commodity,' the CHR said. Further, it said individuals and couples seeking to adopt a child should do so under a legal and ethical process as provided under Republic Act No. 11642 or the Domestic Administrative Adoption and Alternative Child Care Act. 'Legal adoption safeguards the rights and welfare of the child. It is imperative that prospective adoptive parents follow lawful procedures,' the CHR said. 'We urge the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspected cases of child trafficking to the proper authorities. Protecting our children is a collective duty and a shared societal responsibility,' it added. —Llanesca Panti/LDF, GMA Integrated News
Bangkok Post
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Teens rescued from Discord porn group
A man has been arrested for allegedly managing a group on a popular app that livestreamed underage girls in the nude for profit, in a high-profile crackdown in Roi Et province supervised by the Interior Ministry. Two teenage victims of human trafficking were rescued in the operation. Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who also serves as interior minister, directed Interior Permanent Secretary Unsit Sampantarat to order the Department of Provincial Administration (Dopa) to initiate "Operation Discord Disconnected". The operation was led by Dopa Deputy Director-General Ronarong Tipsiri, Roi Et governor Chatchawan Benjasiriwong, and Roi Et provincial police commander Pol Maj Gen Phumwit Vetchakama. The team executed search and arrest warrants issued by the provincial court to apprehend the suspect, a young man, and search his residence in Thawatchaburi district. The investigation was launched after Dopa received reports from The Exodus Road foundation and the Scientia Program that underage girls were being exploited via livestreams on the Discord application, in what constituted a human trafficking operation involving the production and distribution of child pornography. Authorities seized several key pieces of evidence, including computers, mobile phones, passbooks, money transfer records, and other digital evidence indicating the systematic sexual exploitation of minors via the app. The suspect was charged with multiple offences, including human trafficking under the 2008 Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act; uploading obscene materials accessible to the public under the Computer Crime Act; and producing, possessing, distributing, or advertising child pornography. The suspect and evidence were handed over to police investigators at Thawatchaburi police station. During the operation, two female victims aged 16 and 17 were rescued. They will receive psychological rehabilitation and care at a children's shelter. A third victim -- a 14-year-old girl -- was also discovered during the arrest of the group administrator. She is being dealt with for rescue and support. The operation was supported by international partners, including the main investigative arm of the US Department of Homeland Security and Meta (formerly Facebook), which assisted in the investigation. Mr Ronarong warned of the increasing abuse of digital platforms for human trafficking. "In the digital era, technology is often misused to commit serious crimes, especially those involving online platforms that lure, deceive, or coerce children. These crimes gravely harm young victims and threaten social stability," he said.
