By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) stepped up its campaign against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC) by strengthening intelligence-sharing with the Norwegian Police Service and directing police units nationwide to maximize the new partnership in running after transnational offenders.
The move follows the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. and Norwegian Deputy Police Commissioner Lars Erik Alfheim.
The agreement expands cooperation between the two police organizations by allowing broader information sharing to identify offenders, rescue victims, and investigate cross-border OSAEC cases. It also builds on the work of the Nordic Liaison Office, which has supported joint operations since 2020.
Following the signing of the agreement, Nartatez directed the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC), the Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG), and all Police Regional Offices to strengthen monitoring and immediately act on intelligence obtained through international cooperation.
He also ordered capability-building and specialized training for cyber investigators and digital forensic personnel using best practices from Norwegian law enforcement.
“Crime knows no borders, and our response must be equally boundless. This agreement formalizes a vital intelligence pipeline that allows us to strike at the digital infrastructure of these predators, ensuring that our children are protected before they are targeted,” Nartatez said in a statement.
“I have directed our Anti-Cybercrime Group and the Women and Children Protection Center to integrate this international intelligence into our daily tactical operations. We are no longer just reacting to crimes. We are leveraging global data to identify and dismantle these networks at their source,” he added.
This is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., through the guidance of Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, to intensify the country’s campaign against OSAEC cases.
The Norwegian Embassy in Manila said intelligence provided by Norwegian authorities has already supported several law enforcement operations in the Philippines, leading to the rescue of children from abuse and the identification of offenders.
The same information also resulted in the arrest of perpetrators in Norway who had commissioned the abuse.
Norwegian authorities said the new agreement will allow both countries to exchange information more quickly and intervene before more children become victims. (PNA)
