Part of special justice zones
TACLOBAN CITY — Three key cities in the region have been designated as Special Justice Zones to intensify the crackdown on online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM).
The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) formally launched the Tri-City Specialty Justice Zone on Thursday, Feb.19, in Ormoc, Tacloban and Calbayog — areas identified as hotspots for online child abuse cases. The designation makes the three cities the 17th, 18th and 19th justice zones nationwide.
The initiative, led by the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Supreme Court, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), aims to strengthen coordination among courts, prosecutors, law enforcement, corrections, and local governments to ensure faster, victim-centered resolution of cases.
Speaking during the launch at Summit Hotel in Tacloban, Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh said the program seeks to address persistent challenges in handling OSAEC and CSAEM cases, including victims’ reluctance to testify against parents, minors becoming offenders due to poverty, and the involvement of foreign nationals.
Singh noted that before the creation of the JSCC in 2010, justice agencies often worked in isolation, resulting in delays and duplication of efforts.
“Delay is a perennial problem in the justice sector. When we start talking to each other, we eliminate a lot of duplicative services,” she said.
In Ormoc City, the launch was held at Sabin Resort Hotel, where local officials pledged support for the initiative. Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo Locsin Jr. described the Justice Zone as a vital step in safeguarding children’s rights and strengthening local protection systems.
Ormoc City Justice Zone Executive Judge Mario Quinit said the cities’ designation reflects a firm commitment to confront the problem decisively.
DILG Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Lopez De Leon emphasized that the program is meant to close coordination gaps and accelerate case processing at the local level, while DOJ Assistant Secretary Michelle Anne Lapuz underscored the need for swift filing of cases and issuance of warrants, including against foreign offenders who finance online abuse.
DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida vowed full institutional support under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., citing an increase in the number of judges and prosecutors from 2,300 in 2022 to 3,400 to help handle child sexual abuse cases nationwide.
The Philippines remains among the countries with a high incidence of online sexual exploitation of children, attributed partly to widespread internet access and English proficiency.
The Tri-City launch marks the second time the JSCC has simultaneously established justice zones in three cities, following a similar rollout in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Ozamiz in September 2024.
There are now 19 Justice Zones across the country, each serving as a strategic hub to improve coordination and speed up the delivery of justice.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA with report, PNA)
