Governor Pamela Baricuatro of Cebu has issued a stern warning to individuals and groups involved in the trafficking and exploitation of children, vowing they will face the full force of the law. The governor's declaration came during a major gathering of child protection advocates in Cebu City.
A Clear and Uncompromising Stance
Speaking at the Cebu Against Child Sex Tourism (CAST)-13 assembly on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, Governor Baricuatro left no room for ambiguity. The event, spearheaded by the Children’s Legal Bureau (CLB), united a coalition of advocates, law enforcers, social workers, and the private sector at the Capitol Social Hall.
"Let me be very clear: there is no place in Cebu for those who exploit children. Not in our communities. Not in our tourism sector. Not during disasters. Not ever," Baricuatro stated emphatically.
She emphasized that alongside public health, ensuring the safety of children and youth is a top priority for her administration. "My priority is simple and non-negotiable: Cebu must be a safe province for every Cebuano child—regardless of where they live, their background, or their circumstances," the governor added. "A child’s safety is not something we compromise. It is something we defend—every day, with every resource we have."
A Two-Pronged Strategy to Combat the Crime
Governor Baricuatro outlined a dual approach to eradicate child exploitation in the province. The first pillar is the strict enforcement of existing laws and the protection of victims. She revealed that she has already directed the police force to intensify operations to dismantle illegal activities targeting children.
The second, and equally critical, pillar is prevention, particularly within the household. The governor stressed the need for community and family-level interventions to stop abuse at its source. This call to action aligns with concerns raised earlier this year by the Interagency Council Against Trafficking in Region 7 (IACAT-7).
In July 2025, IACAT-7 highlighted the growing threat of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). The council reported that suspects frequently use online platforms to sell access to children and minors who are left unsupervised, making the digital space a new frontier for this horrific crime.
A Recent Case Highlights the Urgency
The urgency of this crackdown is underscored by a recent, disturbing case that came to light. In the town of Dumanjug, authorities discovered parents who had allegedly sold explicit materials featuring their two-year-old child to foreigners in exchange for money.
This incident exemplifies the brutal reality of child exploitation that the governor and the coalition are determined to fight. It serves as a grim reminder that the threat is real and present within local communities, necessitating vigilant law enforcement and robust protective measures.
Governor Baricuatro's firm stance signals a renewed and aggressive provincial campaign. The message from the Cebu provincial capitol is unified: exploiting children for profit, whether through porn sites or trafficking to foreigners, will be met with unwavering legal consequences.
