CICC to Spearhead ASEAN Cooperation on Online Child Safety

The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) of the Philippines has vowed to push for stronger cooperation among Southeast Asian countries to protect children from online threats. This includes safeguarding them from grooming and other malicious activities on social media and gaming platforms. CICC executive director Renato Paraiso made this commitment after ScamWatch officials urged the Philippines to use its 2026 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to establish a regional front against online threats. “I think we all agree also on the strategic approach and I commit that DICT and CICC will take a strong lead on the charge for ASEAN,” Paraiso said in a statement. He added that the initiative would go beyond child safety and include broader efforts to combat cybercrime, particularly as criminal groups involved in online child exploitation can operate across borders and exploit gaps between jurisdictions. As the region undergoes rapid digitalization, strengthening measures against cybercrime, especially those targeting children, has become a pressing issue in Southeast Asia. The CICC's leadership is expected to foster enhanced information sharing, law enforcement collaboration, and preventive measures across the ASEAN bloc. This move also marks a significant step for the Philippines in potentially serving as a hub for cybersecurity within the region.