President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to impose sanctions on internet service providers (ISPs) for their failure to stop the proliferation of child pornography.
Alarmed at the increase in child online sexual exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, the President made the order at his last Cabinet meeting.
Over the weekend, the NTC issued Show Cause Orders (SCOs) to ISPs for failing to install available technology, program or software that will block access or filter all websites carrying child pornography materials.
The ISPs were required to explain in writing why they should not be administratively sanctioned for such violation. They were also required to attend hearings before the Commission starting the second week of February 2021.
The country currently has more than 500 ISPs nationwide.