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IACAT, 7th Floor, JDC Building, Engracia-Reyes Street, Ermita, Manila (2026)

15/10/2026

PRESS RELEASE | President Marcos Joins DOJ Katarungan Caravan in Bulacan as Guest of Honor

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. joined the Department of Justice (DOJ) Katarungan Caravan in Guiguinto, Bulacan as guest of honor, highlighting the government’s effort to bring legal aid and essential services closer to Filipinos.

Through the DOJ Action Center, residents were able to seek free legal consultations and access notarial services, various government clearances, immigration assistance, civil registry, and National ID concerns at the Guiguinto Municipal Athletic and Cultural Center in partnership with the Office of Bulacan 5th District Representative Agatha “Agay” Cruz.

“As we bring the Katarungan Caravan to Guiguinto, let this be a reminder to our fellow countrymen that we do not limit the delivery of justice within the walls of the Department only. Kami po ang lalapit sa inyo,” Sec. Vida stressed.
The Caravan brought together the DOJ-National Prosecution Service (NPS), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Land Registration Authority (LRA), Bureau of Immigration (BI), Public Attorney's Office (PAO), with the support of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP).

Other participating offices include the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM), Office of Cybercrime, Office of Competition, Board of Claims (BOC), and Office for Alternative Dispute Resolution (OADR), which facilitated information dissemination and manned help desks for residents seeking guidance on their respective concerns.

Guided by the Department’s mission to ensure justice remains accessible to every Filipino, DOJ Undersecretary Margarita N. Gutierrez reaffirmed that the Katarungan Caravan would continue striving to reach every corner of the country, regardless of distance, and make access to justice easier for Filipinos who may be unaware of their rights or intimidated by the complexity of legal processes.

“Ngayong 2026, nakapaglingkod na tayo sa halos 80,000 Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng ating mga Katarungan Caravan. Pero higit sa bilang, ang mahalaga ay kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng bawat isang taong iyon — isang taong may concern, may legal question, may problemang kailangang malutas, at may karapatang dapat malaman,” Usec. Gutierrez vowed.

Culminating the Katarungan Caravan were two (2) lectures: first in the morning session entitled “Revised Protocol on Child Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and Discrimination”, and second in the afternoon introducing the Anti-Bullying Act and DOJAC's anti-bullying initiatives.

From June 2022 to June this year, the DOJ’s flagship legal aid program, the Katarungan Caravan, served 76,756 Filipinos nationwide–four times more than the number served before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s term–underscoring the Department’s commitment to bringing justice closer to every Filipino.

14/10/2026

LIVE | 4th Regional Dialogue of Southeast Asian Anti-Trafficking Committees
From Shared Concerns to Regional Action: Advancing Awareness and Advocacy Against Trafficking in Persons

13/10/2026

LIVE | 4th Regional Dialogue of Southeast Asian Anti-Trafficking Committees

From Shared Concerns to Regional Action: Advancing Awareness and Advocacy Against Trafficking in Persons

12/10/2026

𝗣𝗛𝗜𝗟𝗜𝗣𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗥 𝟭 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗜𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗦 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧; 𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗠𝗦 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗧𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗘𝗡𝗗 𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗧𝗥𝗔𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚

For the 11th consecutive year, the Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 status in the 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report of the United States Department of State, reflecting more than a decade of sustained efforts to combat human trafficking and strengthen the country’s anti-trafficking response.

This milestone underscores the continuing commitment of the Philippine government, through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and its member agencies, alongside non-government partners, to strengthen prevention, victim protection, prosecution, and partnership.

While the recognition affirms the country’s continued efforts, it also reinforces the responsibility to build on these gains and respond to evolving forms of exploitation.

The 2026 TIP Report recognized key developments in the country’s anti-trafficking response, including the adoption of a nationwide mandatory Victim Identification System and an enhanced National Referral Mechanism, the expansion of IACAT’s prosecutorial task forces, the launch of the IACAT ProtectPortal, and increased government investment in prevention efforts.

Secretary of Justice Frederick A. Vida linked the country’s continued Tier 1 status to the responsibility to deliver compassionate and victim-centered justice.
“As Chair of the IACAT, the Department of Justice remains committed to advancing a system of justice that champions in victim protection. Our pursuit of justice must place victims at the center of our efforts and guided by compassion. As we mark the Philippines’ 11 consecutive years of Tier 1 ranking in the fight against human trafficking, may we all move forward with renewed determination to continually improve our efforts to ensure that every victim receives the justice they deserve,” he said.

Undersecretary Nicholas Felix L. Ty, Undersecretary-in-Charge of IACAT, likewise emphasized the importance of sustaining this collective momentum.

“The Philippines’ continued Tier 1 status for 11 consecutive years reflects the collective resolve of government agencies and non-government partners to confront human trafficking through sustained and coordinated action. We are determined to build on the gains we have achieved, strengthen our efforts in prevention, prosecution, and victim protection, and respond decisively to emerging forms of exploitation. We will not allow this momentum to falter; we will continue working together until we end human trafficking,” he said.

Looking ahead, the 2026 TIP Report also outlines key priorities for further improvement of the Philippines’ anti-trafficking efforts in the coming year. These include enhancing investigations and prosecutions, expanding digital forensic capabilities, improving the identification and protection of victims exploited in online scam operations, and intensifying efforts to address labor trafficking in the fishing industry.

As the Philippines carries forward its 11-year legacy of progress, IACAT reaffirms its commitment to sustaining progress and addressing the recommended gaps in the report. This milestone is not an endpoint, but a stronger call to collective action - one that demands unwavering dedication to protect the Filipino people from all kinds of exploitation.

09/10/2026

🛡️ UNITED FOR CHILD SAFETY IN CARAGA! 🛡️

STRENGTHENING PROTECTION FOR CARAGA’S CHILDREN: Multi-Sectoral Convergence Advances Cybercrime Evidence and Child-Sensitive Practices
BUTUAN CITY — Prosecutors, Women and Children Protection Desk (WCPD) officers, and social workers across Agusan del Norte and Butuan City gathered on October 7 and 8, 2026, for a joint capacity-building session hosted by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking XIII (IACAT XIII) and the Regional Anti-Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force XIII (RACETTF XIII) in partnership with Hanns Seidel Foundation.

The two-day intensive activity focused on strengthening case buildup and improving conviction rates for cases involving child exploitation and cyber-facilitated crimes.

Key focus areas included:

Republic Act 11930 (Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act): Sharpening legal strategies to effectively apply the law against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials.

Video In-Depth Disclosure Interviews (VIDI): Institutionalizing child-sensitive forensic interview practices to gather crucial disclosures without re-traumatizing young survivors.

Digital Evidence & Cybercrime Warrants: Streamlining protocols for securing Lawful Disclosure, Preservation, and Examination Warrants to build airtight cases against perpetrators.

By aligning the frontline roles of social workers, law enforcement officers, and prosecutors, Caraga reinforces a united front to deliver swift, trauma-informed justice for child survivors.

IACAT

09/10/2026

Ipinaalam ni Bureau of Immigration (BI) Spokesperson Anisha Hassan na sinimulan na ng BI ang pag-deploy ng body-worn cameras.

Dagdag pa niya, pinagbubuti rin ang mga CCTV camera sa paligid ng immigration area upang mas maprotektahan ang mga pasahero at maiwasan ang alegasyon ng pang-aabuso sa kapangyarihan.

08/10/2026

𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗕𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝘁𝗮𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁

The Department of Justice (DOJ) extends its appreciation to the Senate and the House of Representatives for the swift approval and ratification of the Batang Ligtas Act, a significant milestone in strengthening the protection of Filipino children from online abuse and exploitation.

As Chair of the National Coordination Center Against Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM), Secretary of Justice Fredderick A. Vida commended both Houses of Congress for acting with urgency on a measure that responds to the growing and evolving threats faced by children in the digital environment.

“𝘞𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘵, 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯, 𝘰 𝘨𝘢𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘢𝘯—𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘰 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦. 𝘚𝘢 𝘉𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘵𝘢𝘴 𝘈𝘤𝘵, 𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘣𝘢𝘺 𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘸 𝘯𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘢𝘯: 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘵𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘯 𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘵, 𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘨𝘢 𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘨-𝘢𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘴𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘢 𝘢𝘺 𝘥𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘰𝘵. 𝘕𝘢𝘨𝘱𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘵 𝘬𝘢𝘮𝘪 𝘴𝘢 𝘚𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘢 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘙𝘦𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘴𝘢 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘶𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘨𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘴. 𝘈𝘯𝘨 𝘬𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘯𝘢𝘨𝘬𝘢𝘬𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘢 𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘣𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘨 𝘗𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰 𝘢𝘺 𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘵𝘢𝘴, 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘥, 𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘺𝘢 𝘴𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘨-𝘢𝘢𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘰.”

The measure is among the Administration’s priority bills under the Legislative-Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC), reflecting its firm resolve to strengthen child protection and hold offenders and enabling entities accountable.

Building on Congress’s decisive action, the DOJ looks forward to the timely completion of the remaining legislative formalities and the measure’s transmittal to the Office of the President for consideration and signature. Sustaining this momentum will bring the stronger safeguards envisioned by the measure closer to the children and families who need them.

The forthcoming observance of National Children’s Month in November provides a meaningful occasion for the measure’s enactment into law. Its enactment during this observance would affirm the government’s shared commitment to children’s rights and welfare, turning that commitment into stronger safeguards against abuse and exploitation.

The Batang Ligtas Act will strengthen the national response to OSAEC and CSAEM through clearer responsibilities, stronger accountability, and coordinated prevention, detection, investigation, and prosecution. Its timely enactment will support efforts to address online threats with the urgency that children’s protection requires.

The DOJ, through the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM, looks forward to working closely with relevant government agencies, technology platforms, financial service providers, civil society, children, and victim-survivors to ensure that the measure, once enacted, translates into effective and lasting protection for every Filipino child.

08/10/2026

LIVE: The Department of Justice conducts press briefing today, 08 October 2026

08/10/2026

PROTECTING THOSE WHO SPEAK THE TRUTH:

Understanding the Witness Protection, Security, and Benefit Program (RA 6981)
Speaking up as a witness in a serious crime takes courage, but it shouldn't mean living in fear. The Department of Justice (DOJ), in collaboration with key partners like IACAT and RACETTF, provides crucial support through the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Program (RA 6981). This program is a cornerstone in our fight against heinous crimes, including human trafficking and other grave offenses, ensuring that justice can be served while keeping witnesses safe.

The Path to Protection: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a breakdown of how the RA 6981 process works, from application to discharge:

Step 1: Application and Evaluation

Who Can Apply? Any person who has witnessed or has knowledge of the commission of a grave felony (crimes punishable by death, reclusion perpetua, or imprisonment for at least six years) and is willing to testify.

The Process: Applications can be submitted directly to the DOJ Witness Protection Program office or through investigating bodies like IACAT XIII and RACETTF XIII

Key Evaluation Factors: The DOJ meticulously evaluates each application based on:

Grave Felony: The offense involved must meet the definition of a grave felony.

Threat to Life: There must be a credible threat to the witness's life or physical safety due to their intention to testify, or likelihood to be killed, forced, intimidated, harassed, or corrupted to prevent the witness from testifying or to testify falsely, or evasively

Witness Testimony: The testimony must be material and necessary for the prosecution.

No Prior Criminal Record: Generally, a witness should not have a substantial criminal record.

Important Note: IACAT XIII and RACETTF XIII play a vital role in identifying potential witnesses in trafficking and child protection cases, often initiating the referral process to the WPP. The entire application process is handled with strictest confidentiality.

Step 2: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

Once approved for admission, the witness is required to sign a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). This contract outlines the terms and conditions of their entry into the program.

Commitments from the Witness:

Full Disclosure: The witness must fully and truthfully disclose all relevant information about the crime.

Complete Testimony: The witness must agree to testify in all appropriate legal proceedings.

Adherence to Security: The witness must follow all security protocols and directives provided by the WPP.

Cooperation: The witness must cooperate fully with law enforcement and prosecutors.

Termination Clause: Any violation of the MOA can lead to immediate termination from the program and loss of benefits.

Step 3: Protection and Benefits

Once the MOA is signed, the witness and their immediate family can receive various forms of assistance and protection tailored to their specific needs.

Physical Security: This includes secure housing or safe houses, relocation, and armed escorts when necessary, particularly during court appearances.

Financial Assistance: The program provides for subsistence allowance to cover daily living expenses.

Livelihood Assistance: To ensure economic stability, the WPP offers assistance in finding employment or developing livelihood skills.

Medical Assistance: Comprehensive medical care is provided for the witness and their eligible dependents.

Education Assistance: Schooling needs for the witness and their children can be supported.

Other Benefits: Transportation costs for official purposes are covered. For State Witnesses who have made substantial contributions, additional benefits like identity change and permanent relocation may be considered under specific IRR guidelines.

Step 4: Testimony and Discharge
This step marks the fulfillment of the witness's commitment to justice.

Providing Testimony: The witness provides their full and truthful testimony during the trial or other legal proceedings.

Immunity: For witnesses admitted as State Witnesses (who meet stricter criteria of being less guilty but having crucial information), formal immunity from prosecution may be granted for their involvement in the crime they are testifying about.

Safe Discharge: Once all obligations have been met, and the threat level has significantly diminished (or after the conclusion of the case), the witness is safely discharged from the program.

Post-Discharge Support: Even after discharge, the WPP might provide limited support, such as long-term relocation assistance, to ensure continued safety.

A Call to Action: Be a Witness for Justice
RA 6981 is designed to empower individuals to stand against crime without compromising their safety. It provides the necessary framework to protect brave individuals who help ensure that criminals are brought to justice.

If you have information about a serious crime, including cases being handled by IACAT or RACETTF, know that you are not alone. There are mechanisms in place to protect you. Contact the nearest DOJ office, IACAT, or RACETTF representative to learn more about the Witness Protection Program. Your testimony can make a difference in securing a safer society for everyone.

"Securing Justice with Safety" is not just a slogan; it's our commitment.

To report human trafficking or child abuse cases and for information on the Witness Protection Program, please contact:

* IACAT XIII / RACETTF XIII:
Telephone number: 085-817-1146
Email address: [email protected] IACAT

07/10/2026

PRESS RELEASE | DOJ, NBI strengthen partnership for stronger case build-up process

The Department of Justice (DOJ) conducted a refresher course on case build-up in line with Department Circular (DC) No. 020 for agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on 02 October 2026, strengthening coordination between the NBI and the DOJ-National Prosecution Service (NPS) in building well-founded cases from the outset.

Spearheaded by Justice Undersecretary Garney M. Candelaria, the learning session featured Deputy State Prosecutor Olivia I. Laroza-Torrevillas as its resource speaker, with NBI Deputy Director for Administration Jose Justo S. Yap in attendance alongside NBI agents-in-charge, head agents, and division chiefs.

Issued on 31 March 2023, DC No. 020 mandates NPS prosecutors to actively participate in case build-ups where they may require, assist, or otherwise cooperate with complainants and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to help ensure that cases are supported by strong initial evidence and carry a reasonable certainty of conviction.

In his message, Undersecretary Candelaria emphasized that close coordination between prosecutors and investigators is essential to laying a strong foundation for every case.

Deputy Director Yap expressed the NBI’s full support for the initiative, noting that the initiative could help in the decongestion of cases at the prosecutor’s office and the courts, as well as ease the congestion of detention facilities.

Through the case build-up, NBI investigators can work effectively with prosecutors from the early stages of a case through direct and accessible communication channels with the appropriate NPS task force, with online case build-up mechanism also available for those in the provinces.

This initiative marks another step toward strengthening the partnership between the NPS and the NBI, standing as a clear testament of the Department’s ongoing efforts to streamline and expedite its processes for the public.

IACAT

15/10/2026

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