Tacloban: The Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) launched the Tri-City Specialty Justice Zone on Thursday in the cities of Tacloban, Ormoc, and Calbayog to strengthen coordination across the justice sector in addressing the sexual abuse and exploitation of children.
According to Philippines News Agency, the three cities in Eastern Visayas, identified as hot spots for online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), have become the 17th, 18th, and 19th justice zones across the country. Supreme Court Associate Justice Maria Filomena Singh stated at the Summit Hotel during the launch that the initiative seeks to address challenges in OSAEC and child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM) cases, including victims' reluctance to testify against their parents, children becoming offenders due to economic struggles, and the involvement of foreign nationals.
The initiative aims to improve how OSAEC cases are investigated, prosecuted, and resolved while ensuring victims receive appropriate care and support. Singh noted that before the establishment of JSCC in 2010, agencies often worked separately, causing delays, confusion, and even duplicated work. 'Delay is a perennial problem in the justice sector, and it has something to do with the way we traditionally operate. When we start talking to each other, we eliminate a lot of duplicative services,' Singh said.
Department of Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida vowed to fully support the justice zones with more resources under the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. 'The DOJ will be ready to communicate and cooperate. We have more tools and more weapons in our fight against OSAEC and CSAEM. Losing the battle is not a choice for us,' Vida said. The number of judges and prosecutors handling child sexual abuse cases nationwide rose from 2,300 in 2022 to 3,400, according to Vida.
This is the second time the JSCC is launching Justice Zones simultaneously in three cities, with the first Tri-City launch held on Sept. 3, 2024, in Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Ozamiz, also focusing on OSAEC. There are 19 justice zones nationwide, each addressing local justice challenges, according to JSCC.
