Philippine DOJ unveils revised protocol for case management of vulnerable/exploited children　

On August 14, pursuant to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin "Boying" C. Remulla's commitment to champion Compassionate Justice for children, the Department of Justice (DOJ) of the Philippines, as chair of the Committee for the Special Protection of Children (CSPC), spearheaded the launching of the Revised Protocol for the Case Management of Child Victims of Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and Discrimination (CANE+D).

Secretary Remulla, through Undersecretary Jesse Hermogenes T. Andres, highlighted the Protocol's three defining qualities: clarity, coordination, and child-sensitivity, stressing the paramount importance of "upholding the rule of law without compromising the welfare of children."

"To our children and to their families, the justice system sees you. We will listen with care. We will act with urgency. We will protect with courage," added the Secretary.

"This revised protocol would help everybody in the government with our sworn duty and help us guide as duty bearers and as the lead agencies in the protection and promotion of child-victims," said Usec. Vasquez.

This manuscript was primarily crafted by the DOJ-CSPC, the primary inter-agency body mandated to ensure the effective implementation of child protection laws and to strengthen legal safeguards for vulnerable children.

Moreover, the Revised Protocol heralds a more comprehensive and harmonized approach to the management of cases involving children who are victims of abuse, exploitation and other forms of injustice; that is more responsive to the ever-changing landscape of society which render children vulnerable to abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.

By virtue of CSPC Resolution 01, s. 2025, all CSPC member-agencies and partners are mandated to adopt the Revised Protocol as a reflection of the government's united commitment to strengthen child protection services across the country.

Further, the Revised Protocol is envisioned to help improve efficiency and accountability among duty bearers while ensuring that all interventions uphold the rule of law while taking into prime consideration the best interests of children.

"Thank you to the Department of Justice, our Committee Chair, for the issuance of their Department Circular No. 017 s. 2023, which reiterates the statutory immunity granted to our esteemed social workers who take custody of the children. With this policy, all social workers who are duty bound to take temporary custody of children living in especially difficult or high risk of circumstances can now perform their task fully without fear of criminal cases being possibly filed against them," Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Pinky Romualdez read out part of DSWD Secretary Rex T. Gatchalian's message during the milestone event.