WE ARE in the age of rapid digital transformation, and technology has undeniably reshaped the way we live, communicate, and engage with the world. But in the shadows of this innovation lies a darker reality — one that is steadily eroding our defenses against human rights abuses. As reported by this paper over the weekend, the warning by the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Region 6 about the surge of technology-driven sexual exploitation in Western Visayas should serve as a wake-up call to the nation.
Artificial intelligence-generated deepfake pornography, sex scandal videos, and online blackmail schemes are no longer sensational headlines — they are now everyday threats faced by minors, students, and marginalized groups across the region. Victims are often young, vulnerable, and digitally connected, but geographically isolated, especially in remote areas of Panay where internet access exists without the corresponding presence of support systems. In many cases, victims must travel to urban centers just to file complaints or seek help. This disconnect between the location of the abuse and the accessibility of justice allows perpetrators to thrive in the anonymity of cyberspace.
What makes these violations even more insidious is that they are increasingly difficult to detect, document, and prosecute. Unlike physical crimes, which leave visible trails, online abuse is often hidden behind encrypted messages, anonymous platforms, and evolving technologies that outpace regulatory frameworks. While the CHR acknowledges a decline in traditional civil and political rights violations, it also admits that violations committed through digital platforms are rising — and that their monitoring tools have not kept up.
It is imperative, then, for the CHR and our law enforcement agencies to modernize their approach. This means investing in digital forensics, training personnel in cyber investigations, forming inter-agency tech task forces, and partnering with the private sector and civil society to create a responsive ecosystem. Our investigative strategies must evolve as quickly as the tools of exploitation do.
Moreover, awareness and protection campaigns must expand their reach beyond city centers. Students in far-flung barangays, parents who are unaware of online threats, and even teachers who lack cybersecurity training must all be equipped to recognize and respond to digital abuse. Protection must no longer be reactive — it must be anticipatory, inclusive, and tech-enabled.
This concern in Western Visayas is not an isolated one. It is a microcosm of the national challenge we face: a digital world where laws lag behind abuses, and where victims often suffer in silence. If we fail to act now, we risk creating a generation that is more connected than ever before — but more vulnerable than we ever imagined.
Let us shine a light on this hidden face of human rights violations. Technology should empower us — not harm us.
