The government is intensifying its campaign against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSEAC) by focusing on “micro” financial trails left by perpetrators, specifically within money remittance and virtual wallet systems.
While traditional anti-money laundering thresholds are designed for larger sums, the OSEAC trade thrives on micro-transactions, often as low as P50 for individual photos or P300 for subscription-based access to exploitative content, authorities said.
Department of Justice (DOJ) spokesperson Assistant Secretary Mico Clavano, quoted by state-controlled Philippine News Agency, highlighted this disparity during Safer Internet Day 2024, emphasizing the need to collaborate with money services businesses (MSBs) and virtual wallet platforms.
The goal is to develop systems that can flag these low-value transfers, which are often used to purchase and distribute child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM).
“There are platforms where you can get CSAEM videos for a subscription fee of P300. In the online messaging application Telegram, you can go as low as P50),” Clavano said, underscoring the necessity for granular financial tracking.
READ ALSO: PH gov’t wants to check money services, social media platforms used for online abuses
Engaging with other agencies
The DOJ is actively engaging in consultations with MSBs, including those currently outside the scope of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, to implement these targeted measures. This initiative acknowledges that traditional financial monitoring is insufficient to combat the digital footprint of OSEAC, which often involves small, seemingly innocuous payments.
DOJ Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reiterated the government’s commitment to an “all-out war against online abusers,” stressing the importance of these financial interventions. He commended the National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) for their efforts in coordinating with both public and private sector partners, including social media platforms like Meta and TikTok.
By focusing on the financial mechanics of these transactions, the government aims to disrupt the economic model that fuels OSEAC, making it more difficult for offenders to operate and ultimately protecting children in the digital sphere.
READ MORE TECH NEWS.
