Bacolod flagged as hotspot for online child sexual abuse

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Ten children were rescued here from June to July in a series of entrapment operations against online sexual abuse and exploitation, the Bacolod City Department of Social Services and Development said Thursday.

The rescues came after Bacolod was identified as one of the hotspot areas in the country for the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children, or OSAEC.

“It’s alarming,” DSSD head Richelle Verdeprado-Mangga said at a press briefing.

The operations were conducted jointly with the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center and the Bacolod City Police Office across several barangays, many of them among the city’s poorest, she said.

Those rescued were one boy and nine girls, ages 12 to 17.

Two of the girls were rescued recently, Verdeprado-Mangga said.

The children were recorded on cellphones performing sexual acts in exchange for money, she said.

The videos were allegedly sold to buyers abroad.

The DSSD has taken the victim-survivors into protective custody and is providing post-rescue care that includes residential housing, medical screening, psychological counseling, educational modules, family intervention, and legal assistance.

Verdeprado-Mangga said she could share only limited information because the investigation is ongoing.

Investigators are working to identify the perpetrators and to determine whether the cases are linked to an organized syndicate targeting children, she said.

She declined to say how authorities tracked down the victims, citing the risk of compromising the investigation.

Authorities expect to rescue more children based on information gathered from the victims, she said.

Part of the investigation is to determine whether the parents were neglectful, and whether any of them allowed their children to be exploited for money.

“We cannot really tell for now as assessment is necessary,” she said.

Most parents of the survivors were alarmed by what happened, she said.

The assessment will also determine whether the parents are capable of caring for their children once the intervention is completed.

“No children would want to be abused and exploited,” she stressed.

Verdeprado-Mangga said OSAEC was among the city government’s priorities last year, when a large number of cases were reported to her office.

The observance of World Day Against Trafficking in Persons this month is an opportunity to strengthen the call against OSAEC and to raise public awareness, she said.

“Since cellphone is very accessible, perpetrators use this medium. We need to protect the children from risks and educate them including the parents on the proper use of this gadget,” she said.

Mayor Greg Gasataya condemned the exploitation and assured residents that the city will do its best to protect children.

In September 2025, the city issued Executive Order 44, which established the 24/7 SAFE Hotline against child abuse and gender-based violence.

Gasataya urged the public to remain vigilant and to report suspected abuse to 0909-640-7382 or 0926-751-4615.

“To those who endanger our children, we will hunt you down, and we will make sure that justice finds its way to you,” Gasataya warned.

The city government is also willing to tap the City Legal Office to pursue legal action against those responsible, if necessary, the mayor said.

OSAEC is penalized under Republic Act 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials Act, which took effect in 2022.

The law imposes penalties on those who produce, distribute, or possess such material, and it obliges internet service providers and financial intermediaries to detect and report it.

The Philippines has been identified in international law enforcement assessments as a major source of livestreamed child sexual abuse, driven by widespread English proficiency, accessible digital payment channels, and poverty. Cases are frequently facilitated by adults known to the child.

Complaints may also be filed through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking 1343 Actionline.