On September 11, 2025, the Department of Justice–Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ–IACAT), in partnership with Free the Slaves (FTS), convened a multi-sectoral roundtable at the Justice Hall in Manila to strengthen coordinated efforts against labor exploitation, forced labor, and trafficking in persons in the Philippines. The one-day event brought together 30 representatives from government agencies, civil society organizations, international partners, the private sector, and survivor-led groups—demonstrating a strong shared commitment to advancing a unified response.
Strengthening Understanding and Coordination
The roundtable was designed to achieve several core objectives:
- Deepen the collective understanding of labor trafficking trends and dynamics
- Create a space for dialogue across agencies and sectors
- Identify practical strategies for prevention and protection
- Generate actionable recommendations for national, regional, and local implementation aligned with IACAT’s mandate
A central aim was to elevate survivor leadership in decision-making and reinforce trauma-informed, rights-based approaches.
Government attendees included representatives from DOJ, the IACAT Secretariat, DSWD, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, National Bureau of Investigation, DOLE, Department of Migrant Workers, and Department of Transportation. Civil society and development partners included the International Labour Organization (ILO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), PDAP, ATIKHA, KKI, Voice of the Free, and the survivor-led organization Buklod Laya, whose participation grounded the discussions in lived experience.
National Trends and Evolving Trafficking Dynamics
IACAT opened the roundtable with a national situationer highlighting a notable escalation in trafficking cases, with 2023 recording the highest number to date. The rise was attributed to increased POGO-related operations, cyber-scam hubs, expanded rescue efforts, and a higher volume of cases filed as agencies intensified operations. Government representatives confirmed that trafficking cases have become increasingly complex, with cross-border elements and online recruitment steadily increasing.
Local Realities and Community-Based Interventions
Insights from local contexts were shared by Eugenio M. Gonzales, Chief of Party of the USAID-funded STRENGTH CTIP Project. Drawing on lessons from 2019–2025, he described major shifts in trafficking schemes—from personal recruitment to online targeting and cryptocurrency-enabled transactions. He emphasized the importance of barangay-based Community Watch Groups, strengthened CTIP ordinances under RA 11862, and the successful adoption of digital tools such as the DOJ’s “1QR4ALL” reporting code. Gonzales noted that survivors who receive appropriate support are far more likely to stay engaged in the justice process and that community-driven prevention remains the strongest long-term defense.
Research Perspectives on Vulnerability and Harm
Dr. Melvin A. Jabar of the University of the Philippines–Manila provided a global–local analysis based on research in NCR and Zamboanga, highlighting how vulnerabilities emerge from socio-economic pressures, climate-related livelihood losses, limited opportunities, and strong familial obligations. He outlined how exploitation begins even before departure—through excessive fees, falsified documents, and debt bondage—and worsens at destination sites through unpaid labor, violence, overwork, and repeated employer transfers. Dr. Jabar underscored the role of corruption, weak enforcement, and digital recruitment ecosystems, framing trafficking as a public health concern due to the pervasive trauma experienced by victims. He called for stronger regional taskforces, enhanced referral pathways, improved embassy capacities, and deeper private-sector engagement in prevention.
Survivor Leadership at the Center
One of the most powerful segments of the day came from survivor leaders from Buklod Laya, who emphasized that survivor engagement must center on safety, choice, empowerment, and community support. They urged stakeholders to treat survivors not only as beneficiaries but as leaders and partners in anti-trafficking work. Buklod Laya fosters unity, trust, and leadership through programs in education, advocacy, spiritual growth, and reintegration.
A meaningful highlight was the recognition that Buklod Laya also served as the official meal supplier for the event—an empowering economic opportunity that demonstrated their capacity as a survivor-led enterprise and the importance of supporting survivor-driven livelihoods.
Survivors offered clear recommendations: prioritizing trauma-informed care, expanding real job opportunities, increasing access to scholarships, strengthening leadership training, and improving community education to reduce stigma. They called for consistent survivor inclusion in planning, policy, and implementation, noting that survivor leadership improves the relevance and impact of interventions.
Operational Challenges and Shared Priorities
Afternoon discussions examined recurring challenges faced by frontline responders. Participants noted that lengthy legal processes often lead to survivor disengagement and highlighted emerging trends in cross-border trafficking facilitated by third-party travel arrangements. Agencies also expressed concern that some victims refuse interviews during pre-departure inspections due to fear or trauma, complicating identification efforts.
Across agencies, there was broad consensus on the essential role of social workers, who build trust, provide psychosocial support, and help survivors navigate complex legal processes. Participants also stressed the need for stronger prevention in schools, particularly during career guidance sessions where youth are vulnerable to misleading recruitment.
These discussions led to several shared strategic priorities:
- Ensuring anti-trafficking strategies cascade effectively from national agencies to LGUs and industries such as BPOs
- Strengthening school-based awareness initiatives
- Expanding advocacy materials for prevention
- Harmonizing coordination between national and regional IACAT structures
- Enhancing referral pathways and case management systems
- Ensuring consistent participation of survivor-led groups across all levels
A Renewed Commitment to Collaborative Action
The roundtable concluded with a strong commitment to deepen a whole-of-government and whole-of-community approach. Agencies expressed willingness to maintain quarterly coordination, strengthen survivor-centered practices, and expand trauma-informed services. FTS and IACAT emphasized that insights and recommendations from the roundtable will guide future programming and inter-agency efforts—ensuring that community-driven mechanisms remain central and that survivor-led groups continue to be active partners in the Philippines’ anti-trafficking response.
