Quezon city: The police forces of the Philippines and Norway signed on Thursday a new cooperation deal to combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). Deputy Police Commissioner Lars Erik Alfheim of the Norwegian Police Service and Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. signed the memorandum of understanding (MOU) in a ceremony held in Quezon City.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Norwegian Embassy in Manila stated that the new deal will provide both countries with enhanced opportunities to exchange and receive crucial information related to online child sexual abuse cases. This collaboration is set to strengthen collective efforts to identify perpetrators, detect and investigate offenses, and better protect vulnerable children.
The MOU is hailed as an important preventive tool, offering a framework to combat crime through strengthened cooperation between the two nations. The collaboration between the PNP and Norwegian police organizations dates back to 2020, during which time they have exchanged information that has been instrumental in saving several children from ongoing abuse across the Philippines and identifying perpetrators in Norway.
"Crime knows no borders, nor can our cooperation do so. This agreement gives us better opportunities to prevent sexual abuse of children by identifying and stopping abusers where crime occurs before more children are exposed," stated Deputy Police Commissioner Alfheim.
Norwegian Ambassador to Manila Christian Halaas Lyster emphasized that the fight against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children remains a top priority for the embassy. The cooperation aims to create awareness and prevent victims from being abused, thereby ensuring the safety of children.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. condemned online sexual abuse and exploitation in all its forms in April 2024, urging his administration to intensify efforts against this crime. A United Nations Children's Fund study in 2022 highlighted that 2 out of 10, or around two million internet-using children in the Philippines aged 12 to 17, are subjected to online sexual abuse and exploitation. Alarmingly, 23 to 38 percent of these victims do not report the incidents.
