The Iligan Justice Zone, composed of the city government, Supreme Court of the Philippines, Department of Justice, and Department of the Interior and Local Government in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and other key stakeholders, held an orientation for parents in Barangay Tambacan, Iligan City, to educate parents on the dangers of the internet and how to protect their children from online threats. (Photo: ADD/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
ILIGAN CITY (PIA) — In celebration of Safer Internet Day, beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Barangay Tambacan, here, participated in an orientation on responsible internet use and online safety.
The Iligan Justice Zone (IJZ), composed of the city government, Supreme Court of the Philippines, Department of Justice, and Department of the Interior and Local Government in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and other key stakeholders, spearheaded the event to educate parents on the dangers of the internet and how to protect their children from online threats.
During the session, participants learned about the Cybercrime Law, particularly Section 6, which outlines penalties for offenses committed using technology. They also learned about Republic Act 10175, or the Cybercrime Prevention Act, including common violations and protective measures.
They also learned different ways to prevent online scams, understand various forms of cybercrime and their consequences, and recognize the dangers of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (OSAEC), which needs community vigilance.
Guiding children in the digital world
Parents have learned many insights about online safety. As a parent of two internet-savvy children, Jean Zalsos emphasized setting time limits and guiding them to use the internet responsibly. While she recognizes the internet’s benefits for communication with distant relatives, she highlighted the importance of vigilance to protect children from online threats.
“Kinahanglan jud bantayan ang mga bata sa paggamit sa internet tungod kay basin naay mga dili maayong mahitabo sa ilaha. Mao nang siguraduhon nga bantayan ug imonitor sila online,” she said.
(Children must be closely monitored when using the internet because harmful things could happen to them. That’s why it’s important to watch and monitor their online activities.)
Meanwhile, Jesusa Moreno expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to attend the learning session, as it helped her realize the importance of being cautious online. Having personally experienced being scammed, she now understands the need to monitor her child’s internet use to prevent similar incidents. She also learned about potential legal consequences of making careless statements online. With this, she also vowed to share her newfound knowledge about online safety with her family and community.
“Nagpasalamat kog dako sa mga judges ug kapulisan sa kahigayonan nga gihatag karon. Dalhon nako kini ug balonon dili lang para sa akong anak ug mga apo, kundi apil usab sa among mga silingan nga wala nakaapil karon. Ako ning ishare sa uban. Busa, daghang salamat sa kahigayonan,” she said.
(I am deeply grateful to the judges and the police for the opportunity given today. I will carry and bring this knowledge not only for my child and grandchildren but also for our neighbors who were unable to attend. I will share this with others. Thank you very much for this opportunity.)
Protecting children through education, collaboration
Mae Labra, barangay chairperson of Tambacan, recounted the alarming cases of child exploitation in their barangay and emphasized their community’s proactive efforts to eliminate these activities by educating residents and promoting education as a tool for escaping poverty.
“Ang kahirapan ay hindi rason para ibenta ang katawan ng bata. Kailangan ng sipag, tiyaga, at edukasyon upang makaahon sa kahirapan,” he said.
(Poverty is not a reason to sell a child’s body. Hard work, perseverance, and education are needed to rise above poverty.)
Meanwhile, Mayor Frederick Siao emphasized the need for community cooperation, parental involvement, and education to safeguard children from the long-term psychological impacts of online exploitation.
“Kinahanglan nato ang kolaborasyon sa gobyerno, mga ginikanan, magtutudlo, kapulisan, ug uban pang stakeholders aron magtinabangay para sa edukasyon ug proteksyon sa mga bata. Kami nanghangyo kaninyo, isip mga miyembro sa IJC Zone, nga kita tanan magtinabangay para sa kaayohan sa atong syudad sa Iligan,” he said.
(We need the collaboration of the government, parents, teachers, police, and other stakeholders to work together for the education and protection of children. We appeal to you, as members of the IJZ, to unite and help for the welfare of our city, Iligan.)
Siao also highlighted that Iligan was previously among the top three cities in the Philippines with high cases of OSAEC. However, through the collaborative efforts of the local government, Philippine National Police, International Justice Mission, and other key stakeholders, the city has significantly improved its situation and is no longer in the top 10. (LELA/PIA-10/Lanao del Norte)
