Solon urges stronger financial monitoring to combat child sexual abuse online

DAVAO CITY — In response to the recent conviction of a French animator for ordering the live-streamed rape of Filipino children, Gabriela Women’s Party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas calls for enhanced financial intelligence monitoring to combat online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC).

The convicted animator, Bouhalem Bouchiba, known for his work at Pixar and Disney, was found guilty of complicity in the rape of numerous girls and human trafficking, receiving a 25-year jail sentence. Rep. Brosas expressed deep concern over the case, emphasizing the critical need to bolster financial monitoring systems against OSEC.

The Paris court late Thursday found Bouhalem Bouchiba, 59, guilty of complicity in the rape of girls and in human trafficking and of viewing child pornography online.

She condemned the predator’s actions facilitated through money transfers and highlighted the importance of preventing such crimes through proactive measures. Brosas urged the Anti-Money Laundering Council (AMLC) to refocus its efforts on tracking suspicious financial transactions associated with OSEC, rather than targeting legitimate activist groups.

The lawmaker emphasized the urgency of identifying and disrupting money trails linked to OSEC syndicates exploiting children. She stressed the necessity of swift action by the AMLC to prevent transactions that enable sexual violence against Filipino children.

Brosas called for justice for victims of foreign predators preying on vulnerable children in the country and emphasized the importance of strengthening laws against OSEC to protect Filipino children.

Brosas emphasized the significance of proper implementation of Republic Act 11930, the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Law, in combating online sexual exploitation. She urged increased vigilance and collaboration among authorities and advocacy groups to safeguard children from the horrors of OSEC.