CICC to lead ASEAN cooperation on online child safety

MANILA, Philippines — The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center vows to push for stronger cooperation among Southeast Asian countries to protect children from online threats, including grooming and other malicious activities on social media and gaming platforms.

CICC executive director Renato Paraiso made the 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 said 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.