Tacloban Chosen as Justice Hub in Crackdown on Online Child Abuse

Posted on Mar. 3, 2026 at 9:40 am

TACLOBAN CITY — The city has been designated as a Justice Zone in Eastern Visayas to address Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) announced on February 23, 2026, that this initiative aims to enhance collaboration among justice sector agencies under the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC).

According to DOJ Undersecretary and IACAT head Nicholas Ty, Justice Zones are established to improve coordination and streamline case handling processes.

In addition to Tacloban, Ormoc and Calbayog have also been identified as Justice Zones. These three cities will play a key role in addressing OSAEC cases.

However, IACAT emphasized that the issue is not confined to these areas and remains a nationwide concern. The selection of these cities is based on their potential to serve as specialized hubs for collaboration within the justice sector,

IACAT further elaborated that care of relatives and families willing to provide support. To minimize trauma, child victims will undergo a single video interview, conducted in the presence of social workers, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers, to ensure their testimony is captured without repeated questioning.

The Justice Zone initiative, a flagship program of the JSCC at the local level, aims to enhance inter-agency cooperation and streamline operations for the prompt and effective handling of OSAEC cases. — Nicole Cabacang BsDevCom Intern

Photo by: Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC)