CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 29 July 2026) — Northern Mindanao has emerged as a key battleground in the fight against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), recording the highest number of OSAEC rescue operations nationwide from 2024 to 2025, according to Regional State Prosecutor Merlynn Uy. Why OSAEC continues to be prevalentAn official of the International Justice Mission (IJM), however, said OSAEC continues to be prevalent and under reported not just in Northern Mindanao but also nationwide. In a 2023 Scale of Harm study, IJM estimates that nearly half a million Filipino children were subjected to OSAEC in 2022. Ladringan said they are also working with government regulators to make it difficult to record, upload, and receive payments for Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Materials (CSAEM). Members of the public who have information related to OSAEC cases may report through the PNP-WCPC “Aleng Pulis” Facebook page or call 0966-7255961 (Globe) and 0920-9071717 (Smart).