May 18, 2023 marked the historic ceremonial signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.   

The IRR is a legal document prescribing guidelines, procedures, and standards for the implementation of a law. The Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act or R.A. 11930, enacted on July 30, 2022, strengthens law enforcement tools, expands responsibilities for social media platforms and other internet and financial intermediaries, promotes the use of videotaped in-depth disclosure interviews to prevent the re-traumatization of victim-survivors, and provides comprehensive guidelines to combat OSAEC.   

The Philippine News Agency shared,

The signing of the IRR for RA 11930 is meant to unite all Filipinos in protecting children against online sexual abuse and exploitation.

The Ceremonial Signing of the RA 11930 was attended by the organizations involved in the drafting of the IRR. IJM was present alongside the Secretaries of the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and other prominent government officials and stakeholders committed to combating online exploitation.   

This event marked the culmination of extensive work in crafting the IRR. Various government agencies and NGOs, including IJM, were part of the special technical working group on Law Enforcement, Prosecution and Investigation. IJM was also given membership in the IRR Committee which was responsible for its drafting. The DOJ Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) spearheaded the process with strong support from UNICEF and UP Law Center Institute of Government and Law Reform.  

Former DOJ Undersecretary Emmeline Aglipay-Villar praised IJM during the ceremony for its instrumental role in advocating for the creation of the law, now known as the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act. Her acknowledgment highlighted the significant contribution of IJM to the development and passage of this crucial legislation.

You can read the IRR for RA 11930 here.