Senator Sherwin Gatchalian is seeking government funds to boost protection of children from illicit activities on the dark web.
Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate finance committee, warned that the dark web has become a hub for child pornography, illegal drugs and arms trade, and online gambling.
He said he will push for funding during deliberations on the budget of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), an attached agency of the DICT.
CICC acting director Atty. Renato Paraiso admitted the agency lacks capacity for 24/7 monitoring due to limited funds, noting it needs P150–P200 million yearly for a monitoring database.
“This is about protecting our children. The government should have the technology and the capability to penetrate the dark web and apprehend those who proliferate and purchase illegal and illicit materials,” said Gatchalian.IMT
