Latest news with #ExploitationandDiscriminationAct
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
GMA Network
11-07-2025
- GMA Network
Man arrested for sexual abuse of minor niece —NBI
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday announced the arrest of an individual over the sexual abuse of his minor niece in Rizal. Agent-in-charge Atty. Czar Eric Niqui said the subject had been sexually abusing the victim since she was 7 years old. The victim is now 14 years old. 'Meron pong instances kasi na nag-umpisa ito nung namatay 'yung tatay nung ating complainant and it so happened na 'yung ating subject ay naatasang mag-alaga sa mga bata na anak nitong complainant,' he said in a media briefing. (There were instances because this started when the father of our complainant died, and it so happened that our subject was assigned to take care of the children of this complainant.) 'At doon sa pagkakataon na iyon ay kanyang inumpisahang gahasain at gawan ng mali at malaswa itong bata,' he added. (At that point, he started sexually abusing and doing bad things to this child.) He said the man would threaten the victim that he would kill their family if she told anyone what was happening. However, the victim opened up to her mother about what was being done to her when the mother told the victim that she will be brought to her grandmother. 'This prompted the victim na sumigaw at sabihin na may nangyayari sa kanya doon sa bahay ng kanyang lola. At doon na nalaman ng complainant kung paano nag umpisa at nag tuloy 'yung panggagahasa sa kanyang anak,' Niqui said. (This prompted the victim to scream and tell her what was happening at the house of her grandmother. It was then that the complainant found out how the sexual abuse started and continued.) Niqui said the man underwent inquest proceedings for violation of Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, as amended. The NBI also referred to the inquest prosecutor to conduct a preliminary investigation on the past incidents of sexual abuse against the victim.—AOL, GMA Integrated News
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GMA Network
09-07-2025
- GMA Network
Kin of PWD in bus assault files child abuse complaint vs. 6 alleged assailants
The family of the 25-year-old person with disability (PWD) who was assaulted and tased inside a bus in June on Wednesday filed a child abuse complaint with the Makati City Prosecutor's Office against six of his alleged assailants. The complaint was for violation of Section 10(a) of the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. It was filed with assistance from the Department of Transportation. Among the respondents are the driver and conductor of the bus. 'Hindi makatao ang kalupitan at pagpapabaya… Tinuring siyang hayop at pinagtatawanan sa internet ng mga nag co-comment. Dahil meron siyang intellectual disability, hindi niya kayang protektahan at lumaban sa mga nagmalupit, nagsamantala, at nagpabaya sa kanya,' the family said. (The cruelty and neglect are inhumane… He was treated like an animal and mocked on the internet by those commenting. Due to his intellectual disability, he couldn't protect himself or fight back against those who abused, exploited, and neglected him.) According to the family, the passenger was assaulted, kicked, tased, and dragged out of the bus at the Ayala Station of the EDSA Carousel in Makati City on June 9. The family said that when he got home, he sustained a bump on his head and eyes as well as bruises. He also had taser marks on various parts of his body. The victim's family said they only discovered what happened after watching the viral video of the passenger being assaulted. Meanwhile, the family argued that even though the victim is already 25 years old, he is considered a 'child' due to his intellectual disability. They also said that the assault on the passenger was physical abuse while the act of ordering him to disembark from the bus without medical treatment led to serious effects on his health. 'Bukod pa dito, ang kapabayaan o neglect… habang ginagawa nila ang tungkulin bilang driver at konduktor ay maituturing na pang aabuso ayon sa Section 3 sa isang batang katulad ni [redacted] lalo pa at nagtamo ng mga bukol at taser marks si [redacted] sa ulo,' they said. (Apart from this, the neglect… while performing their duties as driver and conductor can be considered abuse under Section 3 against a child like [redacted], especially since [redacted] sustained lumps and taser marks on the head.) They asked the prosecutors to file charges against the individuals. — RF, GMA Integrated News
