The Philippines, identified as the “epicenter” of child pornography, has entered into a partnership with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enhance access to the dark web, where such content is prevalent.
“Tama ‘yung sabi ng SILG (Secretary of Interior and Local Government Benjamin Abalos Jr.) na nagiging epicenter po ‘yung Philippines sa mga ganitong online sexual exploitation. Why? Because mayroon tayong weakness ... Actually kung titingnan mo, biktima ang Pilipinas, kulang po tayo ng capability to really look at the dark web,” the Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil told the media at a press briefing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on September 12.
(The SILG is right in saying that the Philippines is becoming the epicenter of online sexual exploitation like this. Why? Because we have a weakness … Actually if you examine the situation, the Philippines is a victim, and we lack the capability to really look into the dark web.)
Hence the national police has established an agreement with their UAE counterpart which entails “internet capability” training expected to result in a proficiency in navigating the obscured corners of the world wide web, with the intention of sniffing out sexual exploitation offenders. It is set to span a month’s time.
“So we are hopeful … na malaki pong tulong ‘to sa atin na talagang mababawasan po ‘tong krimen na ginagawa po ng mga tao na ‘to (that this will be a big help in reducing this type of crime that these people are committing),” Marbil said. “We will never be a victim anymore doon sa ginagawa na ‘to (of this crime).”
The police chief pointed out that the issue lies not only with those posting the explicit content, but with its viewers.
He also revealed that the UAE had also given Philippine police AI to aid in filtering content and initiated other helpful programs.
“Makakaasa po kayo dito sa Philippine National Police, with the help ng SILG po natin and other countries na mas gagaling po tayo sa paghahabol sa mga ganitong kriminal,” he assured.
(You can count on the Philippine National Police, that, with the help of our SILG and other countries, we will get better at prosecuting criminals like these.)
