In a significant push against the growing menace of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) in the Philippines, PLDT Inc. and its subsidiary, Smart Communications, are intensifying their collaborative efforts with International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines. This partnership aims to bolster the national campaign to protect children in the digital space.
A recent report during a Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality public hearing underlined a distressing statistic: OSAEC constituted a substantial fraction of the 17,600 child rights violations recorded in 2023 by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Women and Children Protection Center. The data revealed an urgent need for reinforced actions against these digital crimes.
PLDT and Smart have been proactive in their alliance with IJM, engaging with law enforcement and child protection advocates globally. Noteworthy is their contribution to a pivotal national summit in September 2024, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., which saw key policymakers and leaders converge to prioritize child safety on a national scale.
Melissa Vergel de Dios, Chief Sustainability Officer at PLDT and Smart, emphasized the dual nature of technology, noting, “While AI and other evolving technologies have beneficial everyday applications, they also pose new challenges in the fight against crimes like OSAEC.” She highlighted the companies’ commitment to evolving their strategies to enhance child protection.
Samson Inocencio Jr., National Director of IJM Philippines, praised the Philippines for setting a global example in combating OSACE, stressing the importance of strong, multi-sectoral cooperation to effectively tackle such complex issues.
As part of their commitment, PLDT and Smart, along with continued support from international bodies, have achieved remarkable feats, such as blocking over 1.7 million URLs linked to OSAEC between June 2021 and February 2025. They have also responded to 46 lawful requests for information related to OSAEC cases in 2024 alone, showcasing their proactive stance in collaboration with government bodies like the National Telecommunications Commission.
This intensified focus on combating online child exploitation not only enhances the reputation of PLDT and Smart but also sets an industry standard for other sectors in retail and telecommunications to follow. By championing such initiatives, companies can significantly contribute to a safer environment for consumers, especially vulnerable groups like children, fostering trust and long-term loyalty among users.
This move by PLDT and Smart could potentially inspire more companies in the retail and tech industries to adopt similar robust child protection policies, ensuring a safer internet for all users.
