opinion
01
nudoveritas editorialboard 2024-2025
editorial
PRICE PAID OF SILENCE
nudoveritas • Vol. 30 No. 1 • October 2024-November 2024 The Official Publication of Gusa Regional Science High School-X • Division of Cagayan de Oro • Region X
O
ur city has grappled with the scourge of online sex trafficking, casting a shadow over the promise of digital connectivity within the youth. In response to this, the city government has announced a collaborative initiative with neighboring cities to curb such crimes. However, even with its air of praise, it remains bounded with skepticism.
After all, the unfortunate truth is that the local government system—who will bear the responsibility of carrying out these efforts— and the Philippine justice system, are no strangers to corruption and systemic failures. As it goes to show, this record proves to be much larger than any promising project that will ever be. The Tri-City Justice Zone, launched on September 2024 by the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC) is a pioneering initiative that seeks to battle online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). Justice sector institutions of three cities—Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, and Ozamiz—will adapt a system of coordination and communication to create an effective approach towards battling these atrocities. In the words of Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, “The Tri-City Justice Zone shall strengthen this resolve to combat these crimes using all resources at our disposal.” Additionally, the three cities were chosen due to their titles of holding the highest incidences of OSAEC in the region of Northern Mindanao. Since 2003, they have also had the highest number of convictions for OSAEC, human trafficking, and other related offenses. In the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) statistics from 2016, it is reported that a total of 80% of Filipino children are vulnerable to online sexual abuse and exploitation. These cases worsened throughout the pandemic, with data from the US-based National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) stating that
compared to the 76,561 cases reported during the same period in 2019, the number of OSAEC cases in the Philippines grew by 264.6 percent, or 202,605 more reports, during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine from March to May 2020. With all these alarming numbers on a constant rise, the need for immediate action is as evident as it is necessary. The Tri-Justice zone program, ostensibly robust and equipped with state-of-theart monitoring technologies, has been hailed as a significant leap forward in protecting at-risk individuals. It even gained so much as a firm support from the European Union (EU), emphasized by Ms. Ana Sanchez Ruiz, Charges d’Affaires and Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines. On paper, this initiative is everything the city has long needed: an alliance between law enforcement, social services, and technological oversight that promises a safer digital space for the city’s citizens, particularly its youth. However, this glimmer of hope should not outshine the history of injustices that speak for itself. Firstly, the country is no stranger to the countless cases of sexual exploitation within
“
schools. Since its launch in 2022, the Department of Education’s (DepEd) student safety hotline has received just 70 reports of sexual abuse. There is “no way” that just 70 occurrences happened over that time period, according to advocacy groups like Enough is Enough, who have disputed this figure as being wildly inaccurate of the incidents that actually happened in schools. This shows an alarming
the testimonies of numerous individuals and even deems it to be fabricated by disgruntled people. The judicial system somehow finds it a difficult feat to persecute a prominent name that is a scapegoat of a heinous crime. The aforementioned cases are only a tiny fraction to the whole scope of sexual trafficking, and even cybersexual abuse. Historically, the Philippines does not have an appealing record when it comes to justice given to human trafficking cases. With this, it raises the pressing question of whether or not the Tri-City Justice Zone project will follow the trajectory of its predecessors, or somehow break free from the cycle of corruption that has stymied progress for years. Prior programs with similar noble goals have crumbled under the weight of bureaucratic inefficiency, misallocated resources, and outright mismanagement.
Citizens have grown weary of empty promises and halfhearted attempts, and they are acutely aware that without rigorous oversight, this anti-trafficking endeavor might follow a disappointing and predictable course.
case of underreported incidents, implying a gap in accountability and transparency within school systems. Additionally, look into the case of Apollo Quiboloy, whose persecution has been drawn out despite cases of sexual abuse and human trafficking of the members of his own church. Unsurprisingly, he denies
Quite frankly, taking initiative is the bare minimum in being a public official. However, talking about smooth and proper implementations of these programs are a whole new aspect to be acknowledged. Though it offers a realistic start to eradicating society’s menace, it will require unprecedented transparency, accountability, and a shift
in governmental culture to succeed - all of which have been nothing but futile goals throughout the years. Citizens have grown weary of empty promises and half-hearted attempts, and they are acutely aware that without rigorous oversight, this anti-trafficking endeavor might follow a disappointing and predictable course. For the city’s leaders, this is an opportunity to rebuild public trust and demonstrate that meaningful change is possible, but it must be backed by tangible results, not hollow assurances. The stakes are far too high for this to become yet another project whose funds are siphoned off or whose leaders falter under pressure, leaving vulnerable lives unprotected. The burden lies with the government to prove that it can transcend its previous failings and truly prioritize the well-being of its citizens. The initiative has the potential to dismantle a vile industry that profits from exploitation, but only if those in power take their role seriously and resist the lure of complacency or corruption. As this program takes shape, one can only hope it stands as a testament to positive transformation, not as yet another failed venture mired in controversy and disappointment. The future of the city’s most vulnerable rests upon the government’s ability to act with integrity, vision, and unwavering dedication to justice. After all, the point is not to dim the venture, but to reflect on the past and even present injustices that showcase the very incident of a faulty government.
art by VANESSA PINTOR
Editor-in-Chief LHIAN BRANZUELA PRINCE CALIO Associate Editors CKALIL CAMAMA TYLER MORALES Managing Editors MIKAH MABULAY Circulating Managers VANESSA PINTOR Social Media Manager TYLER MORALES News Editor JESZEAL TOCALDO Opinion Editor LHIAN BRANZUELA Feature Editor DANAE ORDOYO Science Editor JILLIANA MICLAT Sports Editor PRINCE CALIO Graphic Design and Layout Editor CKALIL CAMAMA Photography Editor LANCE DABAD Staff Writers NATALIE PALTINCA NICOLE ROJO DAWN MEJARES MIKAH MABULAY AARON MOLDEZ MOHAMMAD BANTO SORAINE NOEL NEEKA GUILLERO DYLAN MALALUAN NEEKA GUILLERO PERKIN CAGARA JIEVANN ADAZA Illustrators/Page Designers TYLER MORALES VANESSA PINTOR HAMAINIE GABRIOLA AHMER MAGHINAY NOVIE ASAS JOANNA JUMALON NICHOLE PAYNE School Paper Adviser JASMINE JOY TIEMPO School Journalism Coordinator JASMINE JOY TIEMPO Consultant ELIZER TERUEL
DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed by the Nudo Veritas Editorial Board do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those in the administration of Gusa Regional Science High School-X. Any content provided by our writers are of their opinion and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.