The European Union supports the launch of the first ‘Tri-City Justice Zone’ focused on fighting the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children

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The European Union supports the launch of the first 'Tri-City Justice Zone' focused on fighting the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children

06.09.2024 Press and information team of the Delegation to PHILIPPINES

Cagayan de Oro City - On Tuesday, September 3^rd, three cities of Northern Mindanao committed to come together in fighting two of these horrific crimes - the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), and the proliferation of Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM).

Supported by the European Union (EU) through it Governance in Justice programme (GOJUST), Cagayan de Oro City, Iligan City, and Ozamiz City pronounced themselves a Tri-City Justice Zone, a first-of-its-kind initiative where justice sector institutions in the three cities will adopt a system of increased coordination and communication allowing them to better fight the evolving crime of OSAEC and CSAEM in the region.

The launch event took place simultaneously in venues in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Ozamiz. Marking the institutions' high level of commitment to this initiative, the event was led by Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo, Department of Justice (DOJ)Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos. The European Union was represented by Ms. Ana Isabel Sánchez Ruiz, Chargé d' Affaires.

Chief Justice Gesmundo illustrated the complexity of these crimes, involving both ever-changing technology and a "web of actors" that often include family members of the victim-survivors. "We have been identified as a center of CSAEM production in the world. Based on some estimates, 80% of Filipino children are vulnerable to online sexual abuse-sometimes, through the facilitation of their own parents as well. Clearly, we cannot let this continue-and we will not allow it to continue."

Secretary Abalos said reports that "the Philippines is the epicenter of [OSAEC and CSAEM]," were "painful to hear as a Filipino, it is hard for me to accept." He however added that Philippine authorities have "demonstrated serious and sustained efforts to eliminate trafficking in persons" for many years, and enumerated several measures that the DILG has adopted to add greater resolve to the fight against OSAEC and CSAEM.

"The Tri-City Justice Zone shall strengthen this resolve to combat these crimes using all resources at our disposal," added Secretary Remulla, while reminding the public of the role each can play in keeping Filipino youth safe. "The fight against OSAEC and CSAEM, however, begets each of us, in our neighborhoods, schools, online spaces, and everything in between."

Ms. Ana Sanchez Ruiz, Charges d'Affaires and Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, meanwhile underlined the EU's long term support to the justice sector's reform initiatives that improve access to justice for those most vulnerable. "Combating sexual abuse and exploitation in all its forms, in this case, more specifically of children, is a shared priority of the European Union and of the Philippines."

Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Ozamiz now join the ranks of the other Justice Zones: Puerto Princesa, Dagupan, Quezon City, Cebu, Angeles, Davao, Bacolod, Naga, Calamba, Balanga, Baguio, and Zamboanga.Supported by the EU and the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), Justice Zones, started in 2014, are cities that are designed for close communication between justice sector actors like the courts, the police, jails, and civil society, to eliminate administrative bottlenecks and speed up the delivery of real-time justice for all.

The recently approved Philippine Development Plan (PDP) 2023-2028 has endorsed justice sector coordination as a way to improve the sector's efficiency and accountability and to bring about sustainable reforms. According to the PDP, 4 new justice zones will be launched every year during the Plan's period.

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With a total grant of EUR19 million (Php 1.1 billion) over a period of four years, the EU's GOJUST programme supports the Government of the Republic of the Philippines' efforts to improve access to justice for all Filipinos, and thus, contribute to inclusive and sustainable socio-economic development.

GOJUST works with the Philippine Supreme Court, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government to develop more responsive and accountable justice services in the country. Through a grants facility, the Programme works with universities and civil society organizations in improving access to justice for women, LGBTQI+, indigenous communities and other vulnerable groups.

In addition, GOJUST aims to strengthen the Commission on Human Rights to help it carry out its constitutional mandate of civil and political rights protection and enhance human rights promotion in the Philippines. This component is co-funded with the Spanish Agency for Development Cooperation (AECID), with an additional EUR 1 million (Php 59.47 million).

ENDS

Media Contacts:

Chiara Zambrano, email: [email protected]

Thelma Gecolea, Email:[email protected]

https://www.gojust.org/