Senator Risa Hontiveros gave a warning to the public for the possible increase in domestic abuse cases amidst the COVID-19 quarantine.
Hontiveros is seeking the attention of National Bureau of Investigation and Facebook to immediately shut down Facebook pages which encourage online sexual exploitation.
Sa ilalim ng quarantine, dumadami ang mga kaso ng online sexual exploitation sa mga bata.
Napakawalanghiya, at ang active & public pa ng posts & comments.
Am calling on NBI & Facebk to put an end to these immediately!Kailangan mapanagot agad ang mga gumawa ng mga pages na ito. pic.twitter.com/OtwoLOQaJp
— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) May 14, 2020
Liza Soberano could not contain her anger with everything that has been happening during the COVID-19 crisis and furiously asked if anyone from the government actually cares, specifically the promotion of online sexual exploitation, a teacher who went to jail, and an innocent man who got shot by policemen.
I am ENRAGED. I saw so many videos online that absolutely broke my heart. An innocent man got shot, a teacher went to jail, and multiple street vendors. Is anyone doing anything about this??? https://t.co/qW9knmcSIE
— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) May 14, 2020
My Single Lady actress Jodi Sta. Maria was also angered by the sexual exploitation of youngsters on a Facebook page with almost 19,000 followers. She called on her followers to report the page.
Kilabutan naman kayo. Sa more than 19k na nag-like sa page na ito..mahiya kayo sa balat ninyo. At sa nagbabalak sumali, magisip-isip kayo. Pinagsasamantalahan ang kamusmusan at kahirapan. Please help report this page. At sana mahuli kung sino ang nasa likod nito. https://t.co/W2Ta6xkGyP
— Jodi Sta.Maria (@JodiStaMaria) May 14, 2020
The enhanced community quarantine was implemented to prevent Filipinos to be infected by the COVID-19 but Sen. Hontiveros also says it’s actually a trap for women with their abusers at home.
Hontiveros said: “The quarantine is difficult for all of us. But it is a living nightmare for women who are trapped with their abusers behind closed doors. Because of the proximity in the home and added stress due to economic hardship brought by the ECQ, Filipino women and children who are living with their abusers become more vulnerable to violence. This is extremely worrying.”
As the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Gender Equality, and Family Relations, Sen. Hontiveros is requiring the authorities to exert extra effort to protect both women and children. She also urged the PNP to strengthen its ties with the local government units to conduct a campaign against domestic violence especially during COVID-19 quarantine, and the LGUs should provide safe houses for vulnerable women and children.
She continued: “The lockdown should not allow us to become lax in securing the safety of women and children. We need the LGUS, the PNP, and PCW to remain vigilant. At-risk women and children should know that they can ask for help even during quarantine.”
