Philippines
Persons trapped in forms of modern slavery
Human trafficking remains a pressing issue in the Philippines, involving various forms such as forced labor, child exploitation, sexual trafficking, and online sexual abuse, particularly of children. The country is a source, destination, and transit point for trafficking victims, often facilitated by poverty, lack of education, and weak enforcement in rural and urban areas. Hotspots include Metro Manila, Angeles City, Cebu, and key tourist destinations.
The Philippines has made notable advancements in its fight against human trafficking in 2024. It maintained its Tier 1 status in the U.S. Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the ninth consecutive year, reflecting strong compliance with the minimum standards of the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The Department of Justice (DOJ) and various agencies have adopted a “whole-of-nation” approach to address trafficking issues, emphasizing collaboration between government, private sectors, and civil society.
Year FTS started working in the Philippines
In the Philippines, Free the Slaves is working to tackle the multifaceted challenges of modern slavery. Our projects are designed to address immediate issues as well as build long-term resilience against the threats of bonded labor, trafficking, and other forms of slavery. Below, we spotlight projects showcasing our comprehensive approach in the Philippines.
Promoting the Voices and Engagement of Persons with Lived Experience to Prevent Labor Exploitation
Dates: January – July 2025
Free the Slaves initiated implementation of a groundbreaking initiative in the Philippines to ensure that individuals with lived experience (PLE) of labor exploitation play a central role in shaping national and local responses to modern slavery. The project began by mobilizing and organizing PLE networks, equipping members with leadership, advocacy, and policy engagement skills. Through a phased approach—including planning, capacity building, and structured engagement—the initiative laid the groundwork for meaningful collaboration between PLE representatives and government institutions to strengthen anti-exploitation policies and programs.
As part of this process, the project also began building the capacity of government officials to engage survivors in trauma-informed and inclusive ways. Early milestones included consultative dialogues, policy analysis, and the development of formal frameworks to institutionalize PLE participation in government processes. These initial efforts created a strong foundation for long-term, survivor-led strategies to prevent labor exploitation and promote systemic change.
Local Partners
Research: Human Trafficking and Climate Change: Understanding Intersections and Strengthening Responses in the Philippines
Human Trafficking and Climate Change: Understanding Intersections and Strengthening Responses in the Philippines contains findings from research by FTS and JPIC-IDC. The research examines the linkages between climate change, climate change-related hazards, and human trafficking in the regions of Eastern Visayas and Caraga (Eastern Philippines). The research finds that communities affected by climate change become exposed to the risk of exploitation by human traffickers. Exploitation can take different forms, but in Eastern Visayas and Caraga it is mostly labor trafficking and forced labor, child hazardous labor, sexual trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), and online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC). Recognizing that natural hazards heighten the vulnerability of individuals and communities to exploitation by human traffickers, actions that address climate change-related vulnerabilities become a much-needed strategy to end the conditions that allow human trafficking to exist.
Project Partner: JPIC-IDC
Project Impact: 4 localities were mapped in the pilot research covering Eastern Samar and CARAGA region.
Local Partner
Capacity Building of Survivors
Dates: July 2024
In June 2024, Free the Slaves conducted its first direct training with a survivors’ network in the Philippines, partnering with TISAKA in Cagayan de Oro. Over two days, 22 survivors of sex trafficking engaged in intensive sessions to build leadership skills, expand their community outreach, and develop strategic advocacy plans. This initiative, part of the Community Liberation Initiative, emphasized survivor-led change and the importance of collective action. By equipping survivors with tools for collaboration and support, the training has laid the groundwork for sustained, community-driven efforts to combat modern slavery across the region.
Project Partner: TISAKA
Project Impact: 22 survivors of trafficking have been trained and empowered to strengthen their capacity to engage stakeholders.
Capacity Building Against Child Labor
Dates: April 2024
In Quezon City’s Barangay Culiat, where child labor and vulnerability to exploitation are widespread, Free the Slaves launched the Community Liberation Initiative to spark systemic change. In April 2024, local officials, health workers, and child protection officers participated in specialized training to recognize, prevent, and respond to modern slavery. The sessions combined legal education, scenario-based workshops, and strategic community planning, equipping leaders with tools to confront exploitation directly. This initiative marks the beginning of a long-term partnership aimed at reducing child labor and trafficking, and building a resilient, self-protective community where every child can thrive.
Project Partner: Barangay Culiat Council Quezon City
Project Impact: 18 social workers of Barangay Culiat in Quezon City have been trained with the Community Liberation Initiative module of FTS.
Capacity Building of University Students
In November 2024, Free the Slaves partnered with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan to conduct four dynamic workshops on human trafficking for over 110 students through the National Service Training Program. These sessions explored how climate change increases vulnerability to trafficking and encouraged students to create innovative solutions—such as using social media and community engagement—to raise awareness. By equipping young people with knowledge and tools, this initiative aims to inspire a new generation of advocates committed to building a future free from exploitation.
Project Partner: Xavier University
Project Impact: 110 university students have participated in a workshop to address human trafficking.
Local Partner
FTS Strategy for the Philippines
Research
Through research and evaluation, FTS will build the foundation for its future efforts in the Philippines identifying best approaches to service provision and responses to modern slavery and law enforcement; and identifying opportunities to apply its community-based model to address shortcomings in anti-trafficking responses and share lessons learned/promising practices throughout the region. With the aim of expanding to other countries throughout Southeast Asia, FTS experience in the Philippines, will generate knowledge that will strengthen the global movement around SDG 8.7 by informing anti-trafficking policies and programs in countries with large populations of labor migrants in the region and beyond.
Partnerships and Services
The goal of partnerships and services strategy in the Philippines is to empower communities through our grassroots-based model interventions addressing shortcomings in anti-trafficking and modern slavery responses. FTS will engage with local government units and agencies responsible for preventing and addressing the surrounding issues. FTS’ efforts will go down at the community level in select cities and municipalities which are considered hotspot localities through partnerships with key CSOs. With this, we can contribute to empower the government of Philippines in fulfilling its commitment to ASEAN ACTIP 2015 and at the same time contribute to the country’s efforts to achieve SDG 8.7.
Training and Capacity Building
The goal of training and capacity building for FTS stakeholders in the Philippines is a community with increased in knowledge and skills to respond to modern-day slavery gaps in their localities. FTS aims that by multi-sectoral and well coordinated approaches of training intervention through FTS toolkit and CLT (Community Liberation Toolkit) modules, CSO partners will effectively respond to the issues in addressing slavery in the hotspot communities from Luzon to Mindanao. As a result, select communities will have coordinated efforts that will result in decreased incidence of slavery and trafficking.
Philippines’ Legal Framework on Modern Slavery
- Child Labor
- Forced Labor
- Human Trafficking and Modern Slavery
- Key Government Policies and International Commitments
- Labor Code of the Philippines: Sets the minimum age of employment at 15 years, prohibits hazardous work for those under 18, and regulates child labor conditions. (https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/26/25306)
- Republic Act No. 9231 (Elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labor Act): Strengthens protection against hazardous child labor, including exploitation and child trafficking.
(https://ldr.senate.gov.ph/subject/worst-forms-of-child-labor) - Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (RA 7610): Provides broad protection for children from all forms of abuse and exploitation.
(https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/3540) - DOLE Administrative Order No. 356, Series of 2023: Lays out current strategies and implementation guidelines for combating child labor.
(https://batangmalaya.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/DOLE-Administrative-Order-No.-356-Series-of-2023.pdf) - PPACL Strategic Framework 2023-2028: National policy framework aiming for a child labor-free Philippines, with multi-sectoral action.
(https://batangmalaya.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/APPROVED-PPACL-Strategic-Framework-2023-2028_-28-March-2023.pdf)
- Republic Act No. 9208 (Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003, amended by RA 10364 of 2012 and RA 11862 of 2022): Defines and prohibits forced labor as a form of trafficking, punishing perpetrators with long imprisonment and heavy fines.
(https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/2/95641#:~:text=The%20actual%20introduction%20or%20encounter,cause%20the%20introduction%20or%20encounter.%22&text=(o)%20When%20the%20act%20is,ICT%20or%20any%20computer%20system.%22&text=(a)%20Initiation%20of%20Investigation.,must%20be%20respected%20and%20protected;) - Revised Penal Code (Arts. 272 & 274): Continues to criminalize slavery and forced service, including debt-driven labor.
(https://pcw.gov.ph/assets/files/2020/03/act_3815.pdf) - 1987 Philippine Constitution, Article III Section 18(2): Bars involuntary servitude in any form.
(https://elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph/thebookshelf/showdocs/45/25549) - Migrants and Overseas Filipinos Act (RA 8042, 1995): https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1995/ra_8042_1995.html
- Republic Act No. 9208 / RA 10364 / RA 11862 (Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act): Establishes penalties for trafficking, including sexual and labor exploitation, and encompasses modern forms like online abuse and migration schemes.
(https://mgb.gov.ph/attachments/article/741/RA-9208%20AS%20AMENDED%20BY%20RA-0364.pdf) - Republic Act No. 9775 (Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009): Addresses cyber-exploitation and child trafficking via digital platforms.
(https://web.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%209775.pdf) - Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act (RA 10022): Protects Filipino migrant laborers and criminalizes trafficking and abuse overseas.
(https://immigration.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/9_RA_10022.pdf) - Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (Republic Act 9208, 2003): https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9208_2003.html
- Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act (Republic Act 11862, 2022): https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2022/ra_11862_2022.html
- Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act (RA 7610, 1992) & Amended via RA 9231 (2003): https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1992/ra_7610_1992.html
- Anti‑Child Pornography Act (RA 9775, 2009): https://lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9775_2009.html
- Labor Code (Presidential Decree No. 442, 1974) & Child and Youth Welfare Code (PD 603): https://lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1974/pd_603_1974.html
- Fourth National Strategic Plan Against Trafficking in Persons (2023–2027): https://iacat.gov.ph/4th-national-strategic-plan/
- Philippine Development Plan and Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028: Integrate child labor and trafficking elimination as national goals.
(https://faolex.fao.org/docs/pdf/phi217896.pdf) - United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7: The Philippines is committed to ending child labor and forms of modern slavery by 2025.
(https://philippines.un.org/en/sdgs) - ILO Conventions: The country is a signatory to key international conventions against forced and child labor.
(https://normlex.ilo.org/dyn/nrmlx_en/f?p=NORMLEXPUB:11200:0::NO::P11200_COUNTRY_ID:102970)
FTS Staff for the Philippines
Kuldeep Singh Chauhan
Regional Director for Asia
kuldeep.chauhan@freetheslaves.net