MANILA, Feb. 7 -- The Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) on Tuesday warned parents and guardians against an emerging trend in child abuse and exploitation - the use of artificial intelligence (AI), which comes with child suicide as one of its "dreadful" consequences.

"Based on the information I received from the PNP (Philippine National Police) Women's and Children's Protection Center as of Jan. 31, 2024, there has not been any reported case of AI CSAEM (child sexual abuse or exploitation materials) or CSAM (child sexual abuse material) in the Philippines. We are sounding the alarm now because soon, it might come to our shores and by that time it might be too late," CWC executive director Undersecretary Angelo Tapales said during ...