PLDT, Smart, and IJM Team Up to Fight Online Child Exploitation in the Philippines

Online abuse of children is a growing problem in the Philippines, and it’s something that can’t be ignored. With thousands of cases reported every year, it’s clear that stronger actions are needed. That’s why major telco players PLDT and Smart have joined hands with the International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines to help boost the government’s efforts in protecting children from online sexual abuse and exploitation.

One disturbing report from the Philippine National Police revealed that out of 17,600 cases of child rights violations in 2023, a huge number were linked to online sexual abuse. The situation is even more alarming when you consider IJM’s study, which found that around 500,000 Filipino children were trafficked online via live streams in 2022. Most of these disturbing activities involve foreign offenders who pay local facilitators.

To fight this, PLDT and Smart have been working closely with IJM and various stakeholders around the world. They’ve held talks with groups from the US, Hong Kong, and South Korea, sharing updates on industry tools and strategies to combat these crimes. These partnerships are key to building a safer digital space for Filipino kids.

In September 2024, the collaboration led to a national summit supported by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and other top agencies like the Department of Justice and the PNP. The President emphasized the need for all government units, both national and local, to step up child protection efforts.

One of the main concerns is how new technologies, like artificial intelligence, can also be used by criminals to exploit children. PLDT and Smart say they’re continuously improving their methods to keep up. They're blending tech solutions with active partnerships to help the government tackle online child exploitation from all sides.

Aside from working with IJM, the telcos are also cooperating with the National Telecommunications Commission and law enforcement agencies. In 2024 alone, they handled 46 official requests for data related to child abuse investigations. And between June 2021 and February 2025, PLDT and Smart blocked more than 1.7 million harmful URLs connected to online child exploitation.

This joint effort supports the Anti-OSAEC Law (Republic Act 11930), which outlines how government and private entities must work together to protect children. PLDT and Smart’s ongoing initiatives reflect a growing commitment to human rights and child safety in the digital age.

As long as these threats exist, partnerships like these are vital to protecting the next generation.

(via PLDT)