Quezon prov’l board calls stronger local action vs online sexual exploitation

By Nimfa L. Estrellado LOCAL ACTION URGED. Members of the Quezon Provincial Board listen as Board Member John Joseph Aquivido raises concern...

By Nimfa L. Estrellado

LOCAL ACTION URGED. Members of the Quezon Provincial Board listen as Board Member John Joseph Aquivido raises concerns on cybersex and online sexual exploitation during a regular session in Lucena City. (Bokal JJ Aquivido)

LUCENA CITY, Quezon – Amid rising cases of online sexual exploitation, Quezon Provincial Board Member John Joseph Aquivido calls for stronger and more coordinated local action to curb cybersex activities in the province. He raises the issue during the 24th Regular Session of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan held recently in Lucena City, where board members discuss urgent policy concerns affecting communities across Quezon.

In his privilege speech entitled ‘Behind the Screen: A Call to Address the Incidence of Cybersex and Strengthen Local Action Against Online Sexual Exploitation,’ Aquivido says these cases should not be treated as isolated incidents or simple violations of the law. He stresses that they reflect a deeper and steadily expanding problem affecting many communities in the province.



‘This is not simply a matter of criminality but a growing social concern that quietly spreads in our towns and cities. Rapid technological advancement has enabled more sophisticated forms of exploitation that place vulnerable sectors, particularly children and youth, at risk,’ Aquivido says.

Aquivido underscores the need for immediate local action, warning that delays could result in more people being drawn into online exploitation. He notes that poverty, lack of decent jobs, and limited access to education often push individuals into these situations.

‘We cannot ignore the reality that many are pushed into these activities by hunger, desperation, and the lack of real opportunities. Some of those involved are victims, not criminals, who are forced to choose between survival and safety. If we do not act now, more lives will be placed at risk behind the screen,’ he says.

Recent law enforcement operations illustrate the scale of the problem in Quezon Province, where authorities dismantle cybersex dens and rescue victims. In late 2025, Philippine National Police–Anti-Cybercrime Group officers rescue four individuals from a cybersex den in Calauag, Quezon, and arrest suspects alleged to be managing the operation.

Studies and child protection agencies cite online sexual exploitation as a major challenge in the Philippines, with many internet-using children exposed to risks such as grooming, solicitation, and exploitation. These groups warn that longer screen time and wider internet access have increased children’s vulnerability to online predators.

Aquivido urges the Provincial Board to consider drafting a local ordinance that directly addresses online sexual exploitation and aligns with existing national laws, including the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Act. He also calls for stronger enforcement, improved monitoring, and closer coordination among law enforcement agencies, social welfare offices, and local government units.

Following the privilege speech, several board members express support for the proposal and recommend referring the matter to the committees on peace and order and social welfare for further review. Aquivido says the proposed action seeks a clear response to an issue affecting human dignity and public safety, adding that behind every screen is a victim who deserves protection and support.