Manila, Feb. 4 -- Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution urging the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations, and Gender Equality, which she also chairs, to launch an inquiry into the surge of online sexual abuse and exploitation of children.

Senate Resolution No. 1307, which she filed Monday, highlighted the proliferation of criminal networks operating through chat platforms and electronic wallets.

The resolution raised concerns about how end-to-end encryption, while offering privacy for legitimate users, has allowed sexual predators to evade law enforcement.

"The use of encrypted messaging and anonymous payment channels enables criminals to operate under the radar, making it even harder for auth...