Manila, Aug. 19 -- Senators on Wednesday moved to strengthen a proposed child online protection law by giving authorities wider access to digital evidence, undercover operations, and cross-border cooperation to counter people who groom minors for sexual abuse or violence.

During plenary deliberations on Senate Bill No. 1819, or the proposed Child Online Protection and Safety Act, Senator Risa Hontiveros, the principal sponsor and author of the measure, said amendments are being prepared to equip law enforcement agencies with investigative tools similar to those used against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).

The proposed changes came in the wake of recent school violence in Tacloban and Zamboanga, which prompted ...