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Philippines still pushing against Child Porno
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by worm wood | September 13, 2009 at 03:35 pm
18544 views | 25 Recommendations | 14 comments
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Every country faces its own problem of child pornography. But, The Philippines, being a third world country, pushes even harder to combat this problem and to rescue exploited children.
It took more than three decades to finally set penalties and create a process on how to prosecute the offenders of child pornography.
Few days before August 2009 ended, the anti-child pornography bill was finally approved in The House of Representatives!
The votes were unanimous in the third and final reading. The bill, HB 6440 or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, says that pedophiles, pornographers, and operators of cyber-sex dens and Internet cafés who prey on children, will then be penalized and prosecuted.
Previous and ongoing awareness in different barangays makes the child welfare advocates busy while different religious sectors contribute in their own way to strengthen the advocacy.
Almost four years ago, before the House Bill 6440 was approved, among the proponents to lunch the findings of a new study "Child Pornography in the Philippines was Corazon Soliman, a former Secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DPWH) as she was joined by Carol Bellamy, a former executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund last April 5, 2005.
The stories were no longer hear-says, the result of the study magnified the reality of child pornography, as it is officially documented. The study found extensive evidence that child pornography is occurring in the Philippines as a result of both foreign and domestic perpetrators seeking to exploit poor and vulnerable families and children.
The result of the study further showed that one of the most worrisome findings is the link between local producers and networks of pornographers operating overseas for the purposes of distributing child pornography over the Internet.
Internet is a very powerful tool and can be damaging to the lives of many children, as it is being used to merchandise child pornographic materials. Likewise, credit cards are being used to purchased it in the Internet and proof of age for access.
To overcome the challenges of poverty and even in someways force the culprits to stop piracy and child porn business, other government agencies concerned continue to act in support to the House Bill 6440, or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009.
The Anti-Child Abuse Foundation (ACAF) has a soft launching in Sityo Baloc, Barangay Santo Nino, San Pablo City, Laguna last August 31, 2008. Those who joined this event were Congresswoman Ma. Evita R. Arago together with several mayors and barangay captains from her seven local government units that constitute her 3rd Congressional District which she represents.
ACAF is a non-sectarian and non-profit organization, founded by Eduardo Luis "Edu" B. Manzano, the chairman of the Optical Media Boards, where he is serving on a “hold-over capacity." It has no connection to the Optical Media Boards. The sole aim of ACAF is to promote awareness to the citizens of the country about the chronic abuses to children whose age ranges from three to nine years old. They will promote advocacy campaign because under the existing laws, there are agencies of the government that should be involved to the actual apprehension to the child abusers, thus, its enforcers should take into consideration that there is a process.
Currently, Chairman Manzano, who also heads the Video Regulatory Board, actively spearheads his ‘shame campaign’ against those producing and selling child pornographic materials.
It will be a deterrent for the buyers to see that their source of child porn in the stalls are being exposed too. In lieu of this affirmative action, if there will be no buyers, there will be no child porn business as well. Chairman Manzano is supported in his campaign by the following: Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Iglesia ni Cristo (INC), and the Members, Church of God International (MCGI), popularly known as Ang Dating Daan, The Old Path (ADD)..."
Aside from the enthusiastic and brotherly support of Bro. Eli and Kuya Daniel Razon, the presiding and vice-presiding ministers of the MCGI (ADD), respectively, in this fight against pornography, they invited Manzano to talk about his official endeavor to this fight, twice in UNTV 37, the public service TV Channel in the Philippines which broadcast is also available in the Internet and around the world.
The need for systematic concerted efforts in educating everyone on moral and responsible use of communications and information technology should be further advocated and put into action by the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) with the help of the Schools, NGOs, religious groups, Media - starting from the grassroots, local Barangays where computer shops with Internet connections are fast growing and becoming widely available.
Every citizen of the Philippines should not only push their respective representatives to cast a vote for a bill, but should also remain vigilant to report the said abuses and support the victim in court; more importantly, to educate children not only by words, but by deeds; or else, our children remains susceptible to pedophiles inside and outside of our own home and country. Just For A Day, "Isang Araw Lang" of commitment and initiative can move mountains.
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (14)
at 17:16 on September 13th, 2009
Some problems on child trafficking and abuses starts within a family.
I am very proud to learn that a religious group in the Philippines, guided by the Holy Bible, has stepped up and involved itself in helping Filipinos to alleviate them from poverty and even better, to have hope. I know of a religious group who are composed mostly of poor families and individuals who advocates a sustainable solution and hope for our countrymen.
To overcome the challenges of poverty and a shift of paradigm (of those who fears criminal penalty) I pray that the lawmakers concerned continue to support House Bill 6440, or the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009! Every citizen of the Philippines should not only push their respective representatives to cast a vote on this, but also be vigilant to report the said abuses; or else, our children remains susceptible to pedophiles inside and outside of our own home and country.
at 17:27 on September 13th, 2009
"...HB 6440 will “institutionalize the country’s sincere effort to safeguard our children and educate everyone on the threat of child pornography as this takes advantage of their innocence and poverty.”
The bill defines child pornography as any representation, be it visual, audio or written form, of a child engaged in real or simulated sexual activities or demonstration of the sexual parts of a child for sexual purposes.
Under the bill, any person who produces, distributes, publishes and commits other related acts would be subject to the penalties for their actions. Violators may include Internet Service Providers (ISP) and Internet Content Hosts.
“People who use equipment and gadgets for their personal pleasure or gain illegally should be held accountable,” Teodoro said.
“More importantly, people who take advantage of children’s innocence with the use of these equipment should be punished.”
In the Philippines, children as young as seven fall victim to child pornographers.
They are commissioned to perform sex in cybersex dens, the most common online form of pornography.
Digital cameras and MMS-enabled cellular phones have made child pornography easier to commit and more difficult for authorities to apprehend and prosecute.
“An estimated 100,000 websites carry child pornographic images. Approximately 20 percent of Internet pornography involves children and over 2,000 child pornographic images are posted online everyday,” Teodoro also said.
Aside from Teodoro, Representatives Darlene Custodio, Rene Velarde, Ignacio Arroyo, Rufus Rodriguez, Narciso Santiago and Matias Defensor co-authored the bill."
House approves anti-child porn bill
By Delon Porcalla (The Philippine Star) Updated August 26, 2009 12:00 AM
at 16:17 on September 13th, 2009
Registered pedophiles should not be allowed to travel abroad, full stop.... If that was made an international law a great deal of suffering would be stopped especially in the third world.
The problem of laws and legislation in the Philippines is that of enforcement, unfortunately that's a lacking factor.
"Ongoing awareness in different barangays (village, or local government area) makes the child welfare advocates busy." I wonder if this statement is true? It would seem that the laws concerning children are being neglected I often see children that should be escorted by parents or an adult crossing or playing in a busy street.
On the making of laws to protect children I give the government 10/10 but on enforcement I give 2/10 that's how bad it really is. Children are left in care of other children under age parents go out to work. Many of the cities have homeless children or families that uses children for begging. Child abuse as with other nations is a bane on society much is not reported here unfortunately and its normally only when a child dies through abuse that offenses are lawfully dealt with.
Of course most Filipino's love their children and take care of them, however most would not blink an eye at having 3 or 4 of their precious off spring travel on a motor bike unprotected against a fatal accident. The lack of enforcing laws allows more than two passengers unprotected with helmets to ride daily (millions of Filipinos are seen on the roads each day disobeying sensible laws).
Maybe I should not complain as I am a foreigner, a guest but how can I not as someone who really cares about people and children. I also care about dogs and hate to see the abuse that some dogs receive here in the Philippines.
To me there is no excuse for any form of abuse or care. Those that do abuse should be punished and those that don't care should be taught to do so. We can only hope for the sake of the children this new law will be strictly enforced but I don't give much of a chance that it will. However the government will bask in its care in making the new law.
at 16:44 on September 13th, 2009
The shift of paradigm to fight anything evil should start from the inside. Your comment under this article is very much appreciated.
Foreigner or local, when each individual strives hard to be a watch dog even for "Isang Araw lang", "Just for a day!" we can sustain the enforcement of this law.
In most of the barangays in the Philippines, there are volunteer or assigned homeowners who watch alternately by night to prevent crimes in their neighborhood.
at 19:37 on September 13th, 2009
I really can not fault the barangay captain in the area I live and I help and sponsor when required. The mayor is useless as its the end of his last term. The police are not really interested and seemingly want victims of crimes to disappear, lol
I see the very policemen, traffic enforcers and members of the local LTO breaking the laws concerning wearing helmets and shoes etc, and how many people legally should travel on a motor bike.
Now your trying to tell me that most of the barangays in the Philippines, have volunteer or assigned homeowners who watch alternately by night to prevent crimes in their neighborhood. Not trying to embarrass you but I do know its not efficient in most barangays.
However there are people that care and I have had a thief caught of whom tried to sneak in my house to rob me. A tanod lives close by and gave chase, however I decided to leave it up to the barangay captain not wanting to be involved with the police because of seeing a bad record of investigation and lack of interest on two occasions when friends had their house burgled. It just is not worth the trouble. I may add it would seem the voluteers where drinking or sleeping on both occasion in two seperate barangays on two different Islands.
Its not just a problem here even in my well paid policed country criminals can't be stopped carrying out crimes. However the legal system is quicker and the police are mostly bothered when it comes to serious crimes.
Yep its all down to where you live in the Philippines.
at 21:25 on September 13th, 2009
Babel-Fish, I would appreciate it if you will edit your comment, specifically, taking out the big space you left after your last sentence. Readers might think the comments end there.
Babel-Fish, I also appreciate your voicing out that in your place you felt unenthusiastic and "you decided to leave it up to the barangay captain not wanting to be involved with the police because of seeing a bad record of investigation and lack of interest on two occasions when friends had their house burgled."
I think you missed the point that the article and comments support sustainable advocacy where commitment and initiative, even in an alternate fashion, if two or more people are involved, or an individual finds in his heart to help every other day or randomly, are being called for.
In my opinion, trying harder for the common good is worth the trouble.
If the volunteers in your area were instead "drinking or sleeping on both occasion in two seperate barangays on two different Islands", then maybe, they are the "exclusions" of the "most of the barangays in the Philippines" that I am talking about. Thank you for the examples that people should avoid doing when they are performing their duties and responsibilities especially when lives are at stake.
A barangay (Filipino: baranggay, [baraŋˈɡaj]), also known by its former Spanish adopted name, the barrio, is the smallest administrative division in the Philippines and is the native Filipino term for a village, district or ward. Barangays are further subdivided into smaller areas called Puroks (English: Zone). A sitio is a territorial enclave inside a barangay, especially in rural areas. Municipalities and cities are composed of barangays. In place names barangay is sometimes abbreviated as "Brgy." or "Bgy.". As of December 31, 2006 there are a total of 41,995 barangays throughout the Philippines.[1]
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barangay
I haven't lost hope for you Babel-Fish, though you have no time on moving from one place to another to pursue your action or law suit, you still cared and gave your time to be a citizen journalist.
I salute the sober vigilant and unfailing volunteers of the barangays and most of the barangays in the Philippines for a good cause, even for just a day or "Isang Araw lang"! I also thank those barangay tanod, though they only receive meager salary or allowance or sometimes none at all, depending on their barangay, they are very much willing to standby and watch over us as we take our goodnight sleep, even during the day. I also thank the group of brave women and those we do not know, who also volunteer for the same cause.
A barangay tanod (watchman) forms policing functions within the barangay. The number of barangay tanods differ from one barangay to another; they help maintain law and order in the neighborhoods throughout the Philippines.
Most of all, I thank God for these responsible and charitable people who cares!
at 21:42 on September 29th, 2009
Rapid Appraisal of Child Pornography in the Philippines
Arnie C. Trinidad; Elizabeth Protacio-Marcelino, Ph.D.
Psychosocial Trauma and Human Rights Program, UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (UP CIDS-PST); United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Manila
E-mail:pstcids@edsamail.com.ph; manila@unicef.org,
Featured paper for October 2004 http://www.childprotection.org.ph
at 03:10 on September 23rd, 2009
Source: preda.org
at 21:29 on September 29th, 2009
Thanks and Glory be to God!
at 12:37 on October 4th, 2009
This is exactly why we need the death penelty for these pervs. The perv sentenced to death by the State of Florida in the Jessica Lansford case died of cancer while on death row. Justice comes in many ways. This guy got his.
at 09:37 on October 8th, 2009
I believe if you put to death all the pervs in the world, a few people will be left and they will have other sins.
In the Christian dispensation, death penalty is not a solution. The solution is, educating people of the biblical teachings, so they will have a chance to repent and move forward to holiness.
How? Ask Bro. Eli, the bible shall answer:
What is God's view of the Death Penalty,..?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9LEl5595H4
at 00:35 on November 22nd, 2009
"...Under the law, child pornography is defined as any representation, be it visual, audio or written form or combination thereof, by electronic, mechanical, digital, optical, magnetic or other means, of a child engaged in real or simulated explicit sexual activities.
Any person who produces, distributes, publishes or commits other related acts will face stiff penalties. Violators may include Internet service providers and Internet content hosts.
Violators face fines ranging from P50,000 to P5 million and prison terms, including the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
A child who is victimized shall be recognized as a victim of a violent crime and may claim compensation and protection under the law, which also provides mandatory services for the victim, including counseling and legal assistance...."
GMA signs anti-child porn law (The Philippine Star) Updated November 19, 2009 12:00 AM by Jess Diaz Philstar.com
at 00:35 on November 22nd, 2009
"...Signed at last, the anti child-pornography law has been signed into law by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. This is the first major step forward in protecting children from being sexually exploited through the making and distribution of images of them being sexually abused. The law is hard-hitting and among other things prohibits the possession, making, distribution, display, and the attempt to access or transmit on the internet or by cell phone any illegal images depicting sexual activity with or of children or their private parts.
This is one of the few pieces of anti child-pornography legislation in the world that requires by law Internet Server Providers (ISPs) to install filtering software that will block access to websites through the internet that contain illegal images of children as defined under the act. The law is known as the Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009, Republic Act 9775. Mall operators and business establishments have to know and report to the police within seven days any violation of the act in their premises.
The law strictly outlaws any attempt to knowingly access with reasonable knowledge any child-pornography with or without the intent to publish, sell, distribute or broadcast the images. Hundreds of thousands of people daily are accessing, sharing, viewing and downloading images of children being sexually abused. It is a three-billion dollar business and every image is evidence of a crime against the child. Experts say that such images do entice, induce and encourage offenders to seek out victims and abuse them. Under this legislation the internet server providers must give to the police when asked the identities of the offenders trying to access child pornography over the internet through their servers.
The mandated installation of filtering software by law is rejected by many in the industry. They say it is a first step to government surveillance of internet traffic is an invasion of privacy and a form of censorship; all these are anathema to internet server providers and many users. In the UK they have voluntarily installed filtering software.
There is no total and absolute right over anything or anybody in the world. If the freedom of action of some is harming and allowing the abuse of others, especially children, then action must be taken to protect the vulnerable and the victimized. One right must not be used to violate another right. Besides we all have a moral responsibility to protect children and bring violators to justice. Industry has a social responsibility to make its services child safe just like any other product. It must put children before profits.
Bayantel, a Philippine ISP owned by the Lopez Family is the only ISP already using the very easy to install filtering system known in the industry as NetClean, a clever and effective invention from Sweden. PLDT, Sun-Digitel, Globe, Smart and Eastern do not have it. They must act soon. The Preda Foundation (www.preda.org) is mounting a campaign to encourage them to protect children and to do it now and install NetClean white box technology. They are a responsible corporation and work closely with Teliasonera. Both companies are committed to helping the victims of child exploitation.
The New Zealand government is using NetClean technology successfully throughout the whole country. The ISPs have no reason to wait the 90 days for the National Telecommunications Commission to order them to do it.
Senator 'Jamby' Madrigal (Maria Ana Consuelo Madrigal-Valade, in photo above) gets the credit and thanks of the nation for sponsoring, drafting and tirelessly advancing the law which passed the senate in record time. I was privileged to be invited to share ideas and suggestions with her legal committee in drafting the legislation. Unicef Philippines also contributed greatly by engaging a Canadian legal expert and brought her in from Hong Kong to help draft key sections. Together with Senator Madrigal’s highly intelligent drafting team led by Attorney Nino Aquino we had a productive brainstorming that helped make this landmark legislation to protect children.
Lower House representatives Darlene Antonino-Custodio, Monica 'Nikki' Prieto-Teodoro and Matias Defensor all deserve praise for their efforts to get this important legislation sponsored, passed and signed."
Anti Child-Porn Law Signed. Reflection No 460, 20 November 2009 Submitted by FatherSean on Fri, 11/20/2009 - 21:05.Father Cullen's Corner
Anti Child-Porn Law Signed Fr Shay Cullen's columns are published in The Manila Times, in publications in Ireland, the UK, Hong Kong, and online.
at 00:52 on November 22nd, 2009
"...The creation of an Inter-Agency Council Against Child Pornography was also mandated under the new law. It will have three representatives from children's non-governmental organizations and would be headed by the secretary of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
Local government units, meanwhile, are tasked to regulate internet cafes or kiosks within their areas. Internet service providers, Internet content hosts, owners of mall, and other business establishments were likewise required to report any forms of child pornography committed within their jurisdiction.
The DOJ would appoint special prosecutors to handle child pornography cases. But as a transitional crime, the Justice department may request help from foreign countries for the investigation and prosecution of an offender.
The new bill could also be used by the Justice and Foreign affairs department as among the extraditable offenses in future treaties."
Arroyo signs anti-child porn bill into law AIE BALAGTAS SEE, GMANews.TV 11/19/2009 | 12:30 AM