3 days ago
Davao logs 7 OSAEC cases in first half of 2025, says DSWD-11
Davao region has recorded at least seven cases of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children-child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (OSAEC-CSAEM) during the first six months of 2025, according to data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao (DSWD-11).
During this period, 11 minor victims were rescued by authorities.
DSWD-11 said the seven cases are higher than the four cases documented in the same period in 2024.
All suspects in these seven cases have been arrested, with many of them being the children's own relatives, including parents.
'Sa disclosure sa atoang mga victims, it started nga ang mama kay naa lang gyud ka chat nga foreigners. Different foreigners then after ato siguro naka-met siya og parokyano, naay offer, naay demand so, then it pays easy money and medyo dako-dako gyud ang ilang kita when it comes to kaning explicit materials, pornographic, especially pa kung naga-livestream mismo ang mga bata,' DSWD-11 IACAT-VAWC LED Secretary, Gladys Credo, said.
The suspects allegedly used gadgets, social media applications, and online platforms to create and distribute sexually explicit content involving minors.
Authorities said uncovering the full scale of the problem remains a challenge due to limited digital surveillance equipment and monitoring capabilities.
A recent case in Lupon, Davao Oriental was only discovered through international coordination with a foreign cybercrime authority.
During the operation in Lupon, three people, including a couple, were arrested by the agents of the National Bureau of Investigation-Davao (NBI-11) for allegedly exploiting their own children sexually online.
'Diri sa Region 11, ang online sexual abuse and exploitation of children is not popular, dili tanang ginikanan even schools, or even us sa government officials, we are not fully aware of how the crime is committed including the child sexual abuse exploitation material.' Regional Prosecutor, Atty. Janet Grace Dalisay-Fabrero, said.
The arrested suspects are facing serious charges, including qualified human trafficking, violation of the Anti-OSAEC-CSAEM law, and child abuse.
DSWD urged parents to monitor their children's internet and social media usage closely.
'Awareness sa community to include the parents para mabantayan nato gina-unsa kay dili ta makahibalo kung asa na ba nga sites nagasulod ang mga bata. So, kinahanglan kabalo ta, aware og unsa na activity nila,' DSWD-11 Assistant Director, Gemma Dela Cruz, said.
