The Philippines’ leading telecommunications company, PLDT, along with its wireless communications and digital services subsidiary, Smart, continues to fight against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). Their efforts, in collaboration with IJM Philippines, support the government in combating this crime and strengthening protection for every Filipino child.

Recent Highlights

Content Blocking Efforts: Since 2021, PLDT and Smart have blocked a total of 1.7 million URLs and online content linked to OSAEC.

Constituent Visits: PLDT and Smart have met with various constituents and next-generation business leaders from United States of America, Hong Kong, and South Korea. In these engagements, they share about their partnership with IJM and what they have been doing to detect and prevent OSAEC on their platform. They seek to raise awareness about industry-led solutions and inspire ongoing support from the international community to fight OSAEC.

PLDT and Smart engagements with IJM constituents from the US and Hong Kong. Photo Credits to PLDT

National Summit Against OSAEC: PLDT and Smart supported the Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon: Tapusin ang OSAEC Ngayon, a national summit against OSAEC hosted by IJM, in partnership with the Department of Justice - Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT), the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and joined by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. This event marked the launch of “Bayang Walang Bahid ng OSAEC,” a nationwide campaign designed to break the culture of silence and empower communities to report child exploitation.

Law Enforcement Training: PLDT and Smart supported the Basic Internet Crimes Against Children Training (ICAC) in Cebu, organized by IJM and Bidlisiw Foundation. This training aimed to equip Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel, particularly those from Women and Children Protection Desks and Regional Anti-Cybercrime Units, with the necessary skills to effectively handle OSAEC cases. During the training, PLDT provided high-speed internet connectivity, enabling participants to engage in real-time case analyses. Smart shared insights on the procedures for law enforcement to request data during OSAEC investigations, facilitating more efficient evidence gathering.

Project SCROL: Supporting IJM’s Basic ICAC Training formed part of PLDT and Smart’s Project SCROL, “Safety for Children and their Rights Online”. It aims to strengthen child protection measures and law enforcement capabilities against OSAEC in Central Visayas.

Smart Communications, Inc.’s Senior Manager for Regulatory Affairs, Anthony Fernandez, discusses the necessary process law enforcement should take to request data from Smart when investigating OSAEC-related cases. Photo Credits to PLDT

Collaborating towards a safer digital environment

These efforts, among other notable achievements, are in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive for intensified efforts against OSAEC. Proclaimed on April 2024, his statement included increasing law enforcement activities aimed at rescuing victims, arresting and prosecuting offenders, and implementing a holistic approach to combat OSAEC through nation-wide strategies.

The Philippine government, along with its partners like PLDT and Smart, has made tremendous strides in combating OSAEC. The country has successfully maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the U.S. State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report for nine consecutive years. Achieving and sustaining this Tier 1 status requires governments to demonstrate significant progress in combatting trafficking, including OSAEC, each year.

While much has been accomplished, there is still more to do. According to IJM’s national prevalence study Scale of Harm, nearly half a million Filipino children, equivalent to 1 in every 100, were estimated to be victims of OSAEC in 2022 alone.

This study was cited during the Senate Hearing of the Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality last April 3, 2025, to investigate OSAEC in the Philippines and the proliferation of OSAEC criminal networks using chat platforms and electronic wallets. In this hearing, Presiding Chair Senator Risa Hontiveros probed on the alarming scale of this crime in the country.

Nonetheless, this partnership continues. The strong and sustained collaboration between PLDT, Smart and IJM Philippines not only empowers law enforcement and strengthens digital safeguards, but fosters a nationwide culture of protection and accountability. With this momentum, the vision of a safer digital environment for every Filipino child is not just a goal—it’s an achievable future.

In its article, PLDT and Smart quotes IJM Philippines National Director Samson Inocencio Jr:

The Philippines is setting a global precedent in building a strong, multi-sectoral response to the scourge of online sexual exploitation of children. Tackling this complex crime requires strategic partnerships across both public and private sectors. PLDT and Smart’s commendable collaboration with the Philippine government and child protection advocates is helping pave the way for a safer world for children. IJM remains committed to working with PLDT and Smart to continually refine and strengthen solutions that protect children both online and offline.