IACAT

08/09/2026

IACAT-NAIATFAT, DMW INTENSIFY JOINT DRIVE AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING

PASAY CITY, Philippines — August 27, 2026 — The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking–Ninoy Aquino International Airport Task Force Against Trafficking (IACAT-NAIATFAT) and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) are stepping up their joint efforts to combat human trafficking and protect Filipinos from exploitation, particularly at the country’s borders.

The commitment was reinforced during a coordination meeting held at the NAIATFAT Office at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, presided over by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Jinky P. Dedumo, Head of NAIATFAT, with the active support of DMW Undersecretary Darlene R. Pajarito (Licensing and Anti-Trafficking-in-Persons) and IACAT Executive Director Hannah Lizette S. Manalili.

The meeting brought together key officials, prosecutors, lawyers, investigators, intelligence personnel and other frontline personnel from the participating agencies, reflecting a unified and sustained commitment to strengthening the government’s response against human trafficking.

Discussions focused on enhancing inter-agency mechanisms to address emerging trafficking trends and evolving modus operandi, including the proper endorsement of repatriated Overseas Filipinos and trafficking victims to appropriate law enforcement and partner agencies.

The agencies likewise emphasized stronger coordination between DOJ Prosecutors and DMW Special Collaborating Prosecutors, particularly in the timely sharing of information involving criminal complaints, prosecutorial resolutions and case developments. Such coordination is intended to facilitate more effective investigation, case build-up and prosecution of trafficking offenses.

The meeting also highlighted the need for closer monitoring of cases involving licensed recruitment agencies, as well as strengthened evidence gathering and case build-up to support the filing and successful prosecution of appropriate cases.

Participants further discussed the training of DMW enforcers and lawyers on Department Circular (DC) No. 20 and DC No. 16, including the application of the victim-centric approach and the non-punishment principle in handling trafficking cases.

These initiatives underscore the importance of sustained cooperation among prosecutors, investigators, enforcement authorities and partner agencies in identifying trafficking-related violations, protecting victims and holding perpetrators accountable.

Through stronger coordination, enhanced investigative and prosecutorial capabilities, and timely information-sharing, IACAT-NAIATFAT and DMW reaffirmed their united resolve to disrupt trafficking networks, protect the rights and welfare of victims, strengthen the prosecution of offenders and ensure that those who exploit vulnerable Filipinos are held accountable under the law.

08/09/2026

𝗪𝗘 𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗡 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗕𝗘 & 𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗘𝗗𝗜𝗡!

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) continues to strengthen its digital presence to make timely information and updates on the fight against trafficking in persons more accessible to the public.

We invite you to follow, subscribe, and connect with us through our official YouTube and LinkedIn accounts. Stay informed about IACAT’s programs, initiatives, advocacy efforts, and other developments in the continuing fight against human trafficking.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR OFFICIAL YOUTUBE CHANNEL
https://www.youtube.com/

CONNECT WITH US ON LINKEDIN
https://www.linkedin.com/in/inter-agency-council-against-trafficking-210156429/

Your continued support helps us bring vital information and anti-trafficking advocacy closer to more communities.

Stay informed. Stay connected. Stand with IACAT in the fight against human trafficking.

Iisang Nasyon. Iisang Aksyon. Tapusin ang Human Trafficking Ngayon.

07/09/2026

𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗡𝗦 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥-𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚

The Inter-Agency Committee Against Trafficking in Persons for the Removal or Sale of Organs, chaired by the Department of Health and co-chaired by the Department of Justice, convened its 3rd Quarter Meeting on 17 August 2026 to address key operational and policy concerns related to organ trafficking.

Member agencies discussed developments arising from recent operations and challenges in pursuing organ trafficking cases, and emphasized the need for strengthened inter-agency collaboration to support investigations, case build-up, and successful prosecution.

A primary focus of the meeting was the ongoing revision of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) on Organ Trafficking, with the Committee outlining the remaining activities toward its finalization.

Looking ahead to 2027, the Committee proposed capacity-building and awareness-raising initiatives for relevant stakeholders in the health and transplant sectors, as well as the development and dissemination of Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials.

The meeting concluded with the Committee reaffirming its commitment to continued cooperation to strengthen the national response against trafficking in persons for the removal or sale of organs.

04/09/2026

Ano ba talaga ang nangyayari sa loob ng isang scam compound? Mahabang oras ng trabaho, mahigpit na pagbabantay, quota na kailangang abutin, at parusa kapag hindi ka sumunod. Para sa maraming biktima, ito ang realidad araw-araw.

04/09/2026

Hindi lang teknolohiya ang nagpapatakbo sa mga scam center—may pagsasamantala sa likod nito. Ang ilang scam operations ay lumalaki sa pamamagitan ng panlilinlang, trafficking, pamimilit, at pang-aabuso sa mga taong inilalagay nila sa alanganing sitwasyon.

--

The Philippine Embassy in Laos is proud to be part of the online awareness campaign, , joining UNODC, the Government of the Lao PDR, International Justice Mission (IJM), and the U.S. Department of State in raising awareness about trafficking for forced criminality in scam centers — how it happens, how to recognize the warning signs, and how we can help prevent it.

04/09/2026

03/09/2026

LIVE | The Department of Justice conducts Press Briefing today, 03 September 2026

03/09/2026

02/09/2026

Strong leadership is key to tackling human trafficking.

Congratulations to four senior 🇵🇭 government officials embarking on the second 🇦🇺 Leadership Excellence in ASEAN Program to counter human trafficking.

These leaders — a prosecutor, a lawyer, a child protection specialist and a social worker — are on a nine-month journey with other colleagues from ASEAN to strengthen skills, networks, and partnerships to address complex trafficking challenges across the region.

01/09/2026

The (SC) has ruled that an affidavit of desistance, or a sworn statement withdrawing a complaint, is considered “highly suspect” when made by a victim of exploitation and cannot be used as a basis to dismiss a trafficking case.

In a Decision written by Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, the SC’s Third Division affirmed the conviction of a woman for qualified trafficking in persons involving a minor. The SC sentenced her to life imprisonment, imposed a fine of PHP 2,000,000, and ordered her to pay PHP 600,000 in damages.

The woman, who was the minor’s neighbor, recruited the minor to provide sexual services to a man in exchange for money. The minor received PHP 15,000 from the man for the sexual act, but the woman later took the money. The woman also bought the minor a cellphone and gave her PHP 3,000.

The minor’s mother discovered the incident and filed a complaint against the woman. The minor testified in court but later signed an affidavit of desistance to withdraw the charges.

During cross-examination, the minor admitted that she accepted PHP 30,000 to sign the affidavit prepared by the woman’s counsel. When the trial court questioned her further, the minor maintained that her earlier testimony was true.

Sustaining the woman’s conviction of qualified trafficking in persons under Republic Act No. (RA) 9208, or the 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟬𝟯, as amended, SC held that human trafficking cases should not be dismissed based on the affidavits of desistance executed by the victims or their parents or legal guardians.

The SC explained that affidavits of desistance by victims of exploitation should be treated with caution, as they may have been made under coercion, pressure, or undue influence. This is especially true when the victims are children, who may not fully understand the consequences of withdrawing their testimony.

The SC further stressed that once a criminal case has been filed in court, the complainant can no longer decide whether the case should proceed.

The State has an interest in prosecuting the crime and is the party affected by the dismissal of the criminal action. Thus, an affidavit of desistance, especially one executed while trial is ongoing, does not, by itself, justify dismissal of the case.

Read the full text of the press release at https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=172431

Read the full text of the Decision at
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/?p=167240

Copying of this content is subject to the SC PIO’s Credit Attribution Policy: https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/credit-attribution-policy/.