Hontiveros mulls incentives for private companies assisting law enforcement on OSAEC cases

Senator Risa Hontiveros has considered granting incentives to private companies assisting law enforcement in clamping down on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). 

“We need companies to be proactive in the fight against OSAEC. Providing incentives may be the most effective way to ensure this. May karampatang parusa pa rin kung hindi sila susunod sa batas,” Hontiveros said.

The senator recently filed Senate Bill No. 2068, otherwise known as the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Law, which also imposes penalties on private companies that do not comply with their obligations under the bill. 

“Both incentives and penalties can encourage more synergy between private companies and government agencies. Pwedeng mapaigting ang partisipasyon ng mga pribadong kumpanya kung hindi lang parusa ang prinepresenta sa kanila,” Hontiveros said.

Under the filed bill, Internet Service Providers that do not give notice of exploitation on their services will suffer a penalty of P2 million but not more than P5 million. Social media networks that are not compliant with the requirements will suffer a penalty of P10 million, while banks, money services, and other financial intermediaries not fulfilling their reportorial obligation shall suffer the penalty as provided under the law. 

“The private sectors’ products are the main channels through which exploitation occurs. Kung magkakaroon ng mas take-charge attitude ang mga kumpanya dahil sa incentives, then we should study this possibility. Laking tulong ito sa mga opisyal natin. When it comes to a crime as stealthy and as technical as OSAEC, our law enforcement agencies need all the help they can get,” Hontiveros concluded.