Government lawyers and representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP) participated in a training to prevent sexual exploitation of children in Iloilo City last month.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the DOJ Regional Anti-Trafficking Task Force (RATTF) VI in partnership with the United States Department of Justice - Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development Assistance and Training Program (US DOJ - OPDAT) conducted the Online Sexual Exploitation of Children (OSEC) Workshop for Investigators and Prosecutors Against Exploitation (WIPE).

Aside from representatives from the Philippine National Police (PNP), attendees included delegates from the National Prosecution Service (NPS), the DOJ Office of Cybercrime (OOC) and the DOJ Legal Service.

In-depth discussions provided participants deeper insight on OSEC such as the discussion of laws applicable to OSEC cases, rule on cyber warrants in relation to OSEC prevention, and investigation techniques to help them gain relevant knowledge and skills to investigate and prosecute such cases.

The training was deemed timely due to the recent enactment of Republic Act (RA) No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials, and RA No. 11862, or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking Law of 2022.

During workshop, partipants were given the chance to practice the information and skills learned, and underwent assessment tests to measure their understanding. A processing activity, evaluation, and review of objectives were done in conclusion.