By Seiryl Dumagonot | UM Intern
THE REGIONAL Police Office XI advised parents and guardians to monitor their children’s digital activities closely.
During the Kapihan sa PIA at NCCC Victoria Plaza on March 22, Maj. Catherine Dela Rey, PRO XI spokesperson, revealed they recorded two cases of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children in the region this year.
The first case in Davao del Norte is still under investigation, while the second in Davao de Oro is already considered solved.
Dela Rey also highlighted the need to implement advocacies in schools and barangays across the region to eradicate abuses and exploitations online.
“Patuloy pa rin yung mga advocacy natin sa mga schools at barangays, tinuturuan natin ang mga kabataan kung ano ang good touch at bad touch (Our advocacies in schools and barangays still continue. We teach the kids what is good touch and bad touch),” she said.
According to Lorna B. Mandin, chief of the Integrated Gender and Development Division, children lack guidance from their parents or guardians. For instance, she cited a survey that said Filipinos spend 11 hours online daily on average.
“We don’t have much guidance from our parents or from our teachers, or elders pero na hook man ang mga tao online,” she said.
