3 Justice Zones to be set up in Mindanao to tackle online child sexual abuse and exploitation

On September 3, three Justice Zones (JZs) will be launched simultaneously in three cities in Mindanao to effectively tackle cases of online child sexual abuse and exploitation (OSAEC).

A justice zone is a place where judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and local government representatives meet to promote common interests, promote coordination and share information in the administration of justice.

The cities of Cagayan de Oro, Iligan and Ozamis were chosen as locations for the JZs due to “the highest number of anti-OSAEC operations (in the three cities) from 2020 to 2023,” the Supreme Court (SC) press secretary said.

The three cities in Mindanao “also have the highest number of convictions for human trafficking, OSAEC and other related laws from 2003 to date,” the report said.

The SC, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) are the main driving forces behind the Justice Sector Coordinating Council (JSCC), which sets up JZs. The JSCC was established in 2010.

Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla and Local Government Secretary Benjamin C. Abalos Jr. will lead the launch of the JZs.

A JZ is a venue “where key programmes relating to the delivery of justice are implemented to maximise coordination between the various agencies and thus address the perennial problem of delay and the larger problem of accountability,” Chief Justice Gesmundo had earlier said.

The three JZ’s will be the 14^and15^andand 16^and in the country. Thirteen JZs were established in Quezon City, Cebu City, Davao City, Angeles City, Bacolod City, Naga City, Calamba City, Balanga City, Baguio City, Zamboanga City, Tagaytay City, Puerto Princesa City and Dagupan City.