Matchmaking a teenager to a foreigner a form of online sexual abuse

[Lee]

Some are always looking for an easy way out aren't they?

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Dear PAO,

Our family's current living condition is in a tight neighborhood where food and water are scarce. Despite having one to two jobs, it is still hard to provide for the children and senior citizens relying on us for their daily sustenance. Most of the women in the neighborhood, to escape from this kind of life, are signing up to different dating sites dedicated to foreigners looking for Filipina wives. However, one of the women here, Lydia, has been encouraging the kids that once they grow up, it is best that they have foreign husbands as they can give them a good life, unlike the life they have presently. A teenager grew interested in the idea, and Lydia made a profile for her and accompanied her to meet up with the foreigner. I am too stunned by the idea, knowing that she is still a child. Are there any laws that prohibit this unlawful act?

Astrud

 

Dear Astrud,

Please be informed of Section 4(i) of Republic Act (RA) 11930, or the "Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (Osaec) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (Csaem) Act, which states that:

"Section 4. Unlawful or Prohibited Acts. - Regardless of the consent of the child, it shall be unlawful for any person to commit the following acts through online or offline means or a combination of both: x x x

"To introduce or match a child to a foreign national or to any person for the purpose of committing any of the offenses under this Act;"

Based on the above-stated law, any person who introduces or matches a child to a foreign national for any form of abuse or exploitation, whether committed with or without the use of the internet, is punishable by law. This is in consonance with the policy of the State to recognize the vital role of the youth in nation-building and promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, psychological, and social well-being.

Thus, Lydia's active participation in inducing a teenager to engage in online sexual activities and in introducing the said child to a foreigner could be considered as a form of online sexual abuse and exploitation of a child, which is punishable under RA 11930. For your reference, under Section 10 of the above-stated law, the penalties for violating its provisions are as follows:

"Section 10. Penalties. - The following penalties shall be imposed on the following offenses:

"(a) Any person who violates Section 4, paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), (h), (i) and (j) of this Act shall suffer the penalty of life imprisonment and a fine of not less than Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00). x x x

 

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[Clermont]

That is correct, and overtime people have written in complaining about the third degree when taking their partner out of the country. Yes we all know exploitation of young women goes on but don’t pull us up to check or legality of taking our partner out of the country you must have better things to do. Yes that has even been suggested but in all the times I’ve traveled in and out of the PI, I’ve always started to go through customs 2 hrs before takeoff to counter delays, just remember it’s their job.