Davao Agencies Blame Detection Gap

THE Department of Social Welfare and Development-Davao Region (DSWD-Davao) reported around seven cases of online sexual abuse or exploitation of children (Osaec) and recovered 11 child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM) in 2025, involving 11 victims. These cases mostly come from Maco, Cateel, Mawab, Lupon, and Carmen, marking an increase from four cases in 2024 and two in 2023.

Gemma D. Dela Cruz, assistant regional director for operations at DSWD-Davao, cited poverty as a key driver behind Osaec and CSAEM, with some treating their children as a source of income. She also pointed to a lack of awareness about the severity of penalties and the nature of these crimes.

Lawyer Janet Grace B. Dalisay-Fabreo, regional prosecutor of the Department of Justice in Davao, confirmed six documented Osaec cases, mostly filed in Davao City. 

“Because of the difficulty of the detection of Osaec activities in the region, kasi meron tayong kakulangan e, is a lack in detection equipment, online monitoring tools that are needed to detect these actions (Because of the difficulty in detecting Osaec activities in the region, we have a shortage of detection equipment and online monitoring tools needed to identify these actions),” she said. 

Fabreo also highlighted internet accessibility as a contributing factor, allowing easier access to illicit sites for both adults and children. She cited a recent Lupon case where a parent subjected their children to Osaec, underscoring the problem’s severity.

Gladys A. Credo, the lead secretariat of Iacat-VAWC, said the victims were siblings aged 14, 11, and four years old, along with two female cousins aged 11 and nine. 

The parents, both unemployed, reportedly began chatting with foreigners online and eventually exploited their children through explicit livestreams, seeing it as an easy income source. The children are now in DSWD care and receiving psychological support.

With explicit content appearing on both adult sites and children’s gaming platforms, Dela Cruz stressed the importance of raising awareness among parents and urged monitoring of children’s online activity.

Fabreo echoed this, noting that while awareness programs have reached children and youth, efforts to involve parents have been limited. Plans are underway to launch new campaigns partnering with schools and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) to better engage parents in protecting children from Osaec and CSAEM. RGP