Cebu City intensifies crackdown on child exploitation crimes

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu City is taking stronger action against online sexual exploitation and human trafficking. Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia recently signed an executive order to create a task force to fight these crimes. This decision follows reports that the Philippines is a major location for online abuse of children, with Cebu City being heavily affected. Mayor Garcia emphasized the urgency of the situation. He noted the importance of forming a task force to gather ideas on how to better combat these issues. “It’s not only happening in Cebu City, but also in other big cities,” he said. In addition to fighting online exploitation, the city is investigating reports of “babies-for-sale” activities. Garcia stated that these incidents should not happen in Cebu City, and the government is committed to prosecuting anyone involved. The new executive order aligns with national laws aimed at protecting children from exploitation. The Cebu City Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking and Online Sexual Exploitation of Children will work with law enforcement and other organizations to enhance prevention and support efforts. Business owners in the city will have to attend seminars on these issues in order to obtain or renew their business permits. Cebu City is among the worst areas for online sexual exploitation. A recent study found that many Filipino children are trafficked for this purpose, with Cebu City ranking high in reported cases. Awareness campaigns and better training for law enforcement are crucial to address this problem. Local experts are calling for stronger local laws to support victims and enforce protections. Proposed ordinances aim to allocate funds for survivors and improve law enforcement training. Despite existing laws, many incidents go unreported, highlighting the need for more effective enforcement. As the city implements stricter measures, officials urge the public to report any suspected cases of child exploitation. Mayor Garcia reassured the community of his administration’s dedication to eradicating human trafficking and online child exploitation.