Telco Shuts Down Sites Spreading Child Abuse Contents

PUBLIC access to 20 websites allegedly proliferating materials containing sexual abuse of children have already been blocked.

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co blocked down public access at the request of the National Bureau of Investigation seeking the preservation, deletion and blocking of the controversial websites.

But it only blocked the access. The PLDT said it couldn’t comply with the NBI request to preserve the NBI request to preserve any digital evidence related to the websites.

“The servers involved are not owned by PLDT,” the telco giant said in its letter addressed to NBI Director Medardo De Lemos. 

Just the same, the blocking, acccording to Sen. Risa Hontiveros, is a proof that the new law, Republic Act 11930, is working against the spread of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

The new law increases responsibilities of internet service providers, social media platforms and financial intermediaries in terms of blocking of website and preservation of digital evidence, she said.

Hontiveros was the principal author of the law. She said everyone’s cooperation is vital to ensure victory in the fight against (OSAEC). 

“Sa ating mga kababayan, kung mayroon kayong alam o nakitang mga OSAEC cases, mga larawan man o websites, mangyaring i-report ito sa ating law enforcers tulad ng NBI,” she said.