Vice President Sara Duterte called for stronger efforts to combat sexual abuse and exploitation of children as the Philippines marks National Children’s Month.
In a video statement on Sunday, November 9, Duterte said that children deserve a safe digital and physical world where they can learn, play, and grow without fear.
“Bilang mga magulang at mamamayan, may tungkulin tayong ipagtanggol sila at tiyaking ligtas ang komunidad na kanilang kalalakihan. Huwag nating hayaan na malagay sa panganib ang buhay, dangal, at kinabukasan ng ating mga anak,” she said.
(As parents and citizens, we have a duty to protect them and ensure that the community they are in is safe. Let us not allow the lives, honor, and future of our children to be jeopardized.)
The vice president emphasized the need to close digital safety gaps, equip parents and caregivers with tools for safe internet use, and strengthen family values to protect the youth.
“Itaguyod din natin ang aktibong paglahok ng mga bata sa ating kampanya upang matiyak na napakikinggan ang kanilang mga saloobin sa mga usaping may kinalaman sa kanila, online man o offline,” she added.
(Let us also promote the active participation of children in our campaign to ensure that their views are heard on issues that concern them, whether online or offline)
Duterte also appealed to local government units (LGUs), from the barangay level up to national agencies, to implement stricter policies that safeguard children from abuse and exploitation.
In April 2025, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reported that the number of online sexual abuse and exploitation cases involving children in the Philippines has risen to approximately 2.7 million, which is six times higher than in 2019.
