POE: PROBE CHILD PORN IN PH

Sen. Grace Poe has filed a resolution calling for an investigation into the alleged proliferation of cybersex dens in the country amid reports that the Philippines has become a global source for child pornography.

"We must never allow our country to become a haven for pedophiles and a center of online prostitution," Poe, author of Senate Resolution 472, said.

Poe was enraged over international news reports that the Philippines has become a "cottage industry" of cybersex and online prostitution.

"The victims are usually younger than 18 and belong to poor families. Kawawa ang mga kabataan at kababaihan dahil wala silang kalaban-laban," Poe, chair of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs, said.

Existing laws such as Republic Act (RA) No. 9262 (Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004), RA No. 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009) and RA No. 10364 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012) apply to child pornography/sex trade, but its heightened prevalence necessitates a review of the effectiveness of applicable laws in these situations.

Poe asked the Senate committees on youth, women, family relations and gender equality to review government policies against child pornography and trafficking of persons to strengthen and tighten existing laws.

In recent months, there had been a crackdown on cybersex dens, "where girls who have not even reached the age of majority perform sexual and lascivious acts before a webcam upon instructions and requests from a client from the other side of the world," Poe added in her resolution.