IACAT

What do you think are the priority actions that could significantly improve online safety? 🤔💻

Experts from technology, education, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and youth advocacy shared key insights on building safer digital spaces through stronger protection mechanisms, responsible platform governance, digital literacy, and meaningful youth participation in shaping online policies and technologies. ✊

Joining the conversation were Executive Director Barbara Mae Flores of NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM, Ms. Bea Bautista of TikTok, Prof. JC Santos of OpenLearning, Atty. Francine Turo of Globe TeleCom, Dir. Rojun Valaquio Hosillos of the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), and Jed, Youth Advisor, who presented key insights from the Children’s AI Position Paper.

Together, the panel emphasized that building a safer online environment requires shared responsibility, innovation, and empowering the voices of children and youth in the digital age. 🌐✨

You may watch the full Facebook Livestream replay here:
🔗 https://fb.watch/HaHVdCYAsz/?

𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘅𝘂𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀

Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Secretariat Executive Director Atty. Hannah Lizette S. Manalili served as a panel reactor during the online forum entitled “Climate Chains: Mapping the Relationship between Climate, Trafficking in Persons, and Building Resilience in the Philippines,” organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM Philippines) and held via Zoom on 07 May 2026.

The virtual event brought together representatives from government agencies and partner organisations to strengthen the evidence base and examine the interconnected impacts of climate change, livelihood insecurity, vulnerability, and the risks of trafficking and exploitation.

During the panel discussion, Executive Director Manalili shared insights on the Climate Resilience Against Trafficking and Exploitation (CREATE) Project, a pilot initiative that examines the nexus between climate change and trafficking and seeks to reduce trafficking risks by strengthening the climate resilience of vulnerable communities and increasing awareness of trafficking and exploitation.

She emphasized that climate change is no longer solely an environmental concern, but also a pressing human security and anti-trafficking issue. While the Philippines continues to strengthen its legal and institutional framework against trafficking, she noted that trafficking persists in situations where individuals and communities face limited economic opportunities and are often forced to prioritize survival over safety.

The IACAT Secretariat reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships and advancing policies and programs that protect vulnerable communities from trafficking and exploitation, particularly in the face of growing climate-related risks and socio-economic challenges.

𝗧𝗜𝗣𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 #𝟬𝟬𝟳

𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗲 (𝗦𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝗴-𝗮𝗮𝘀𝗮𝘄𝗮) – Isang sitwasyon kung saan ang isang tao ay pinipilit ikasal o kinakasal laban sa kanyang kagustuhan kapalit ng pera, benepisyo, o iba pang kapakinabangan. Sa ilang kaso, ang biktima ay pinagtatrabaho nang sapilitan, sinasaktan, o sekswal na inaabuso.

Kabilang dito ang mga sitwasyon kung saan:

🚩 Pinipilit ang isang tao na magpakasal kahit malinaw na tumatanggi siya
🚩 Ginagamit ang kahirapan, utang, o banta upang pilitin ang isang tao na maikasal sa taong hindi naman niya pinili
🚩 Pinagbabawalan ang biktima na umalis o makipag-ugnayan sa pamilya matapos ang kasal
🚩 Nakakaranas ng pisikal, emosyonal, o sekswal na pang-aabuso ang biktima

Ngayong alam mo na, may napapansin ka bang sitwasyon kung saan may pinipilit na magpakasal laban sa kanilang kagustuhan?

Mag-report sa 1343 Actionline against Human Trafficking o sa pinakamalapit na tanggapan ng Philippine National Police.

𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧-𝗔𝗗𝗩𝗢𝗖𝗢𝗠 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝟯𝟵𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking – Advocacy and Communications Committee (IACAT–ADVOCOM) held its 39th Meeting on 19 May 2026 at the Commission on Filipinos Overseas(CFO), 9th Floor, Nexgen Tower, C-4 Road, EDSA Extension, Pasay City.

One of the key highlights of the meeting was the presentation of the International Pro Bono Alliance (IPBA), a network providing pro bono legal assistance to migrant workers and vulnerable sectors through regional partnerships and related initiatives.

The Committee likewise discussed preparations for the National Anti-Trafficking in Persons Awareness Month (NATAM), including the proposed Memorandum Circular outlining the campaign theme, advocacy activities, and implementation guidelines for the 2026 observance, as well as proposed digital collaterals for the month-long advocacy campaign. The upcoming ASEAN Regional Conference for the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons 2026 was likewise presented.

Updates on the 1343 Actionline against Human Trafficking were also provided, including case reports, emerging trends in trafficking in persons, and ongoing information campaign activities such as the Community Education Program (CEP), “Human, Hindi Laruan” webinars, intermarriage seminars, and social media advocacy initiatives.

The meeting reaffirmed IACAT-ADVOCOM’s continued commitment to strengthening coordination and sustaining efforts in anti-trafficking communications and prevention advocacy.

24 May 2026

BI reports return of trafficking victims who left via backdoor

https://immigration.gov.ph/bi-reports-return-of-trafficking-victims-who-left-via-backdoor/

Towards strengthening the role of educators in safeguarding children and promoting online safety, the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM participated in the High School Formation Summit of Xavier School San Juan last 19 May 2026.
The discussion of Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty and OIC-Executive Director Barbara Mae Pagdilao-Flores highlighted the RA 11930 or the Anti-OSAEC CSAEM Act, its key provisions, its relevance in school settings, the proper handling and preservation of evidence, and the development of effective protocols and interventions within the school community.

𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗡𝗖𝗖-𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗖-𝗖𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗠 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) joined the National Internet Service Providers (ISP) Summit 2026: Child Online Protection; Responsible Digital Industry Engagement, held on 15 May 2026 at Novotel Manila Araneta City, together with key government agencies, ISPs, industry leaders, civil society organizations, and youth representatives.

Organised by Project CONEC, co-funded by the European Union in the Philippines and Terre des Hommes Netherlands in the Philippines, and co presented by the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM, together with National telecommunication commision, and Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators, the Summit served as a significant platform for strengthening collaboration on child online protection. It brought together diverse actors to advance shared commitments and coordinated action against online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), child sexual abuse or exploitation materials (CSAEM), and other emerging digital risks affecting children.

Throughout the program, the IACAT actively participated in discussions and engagements that emphasized the crucial role of ISPs in building safer and more responsible digital infrastructure.

Complementing its participation in these discussions, IACAT also mounted an Advocacy Boothduring the Summit, which served as an interactive platform for engaging partners and participants while promoting awareness of its mandate and ongoing initiatives on prevention, protection, and reporting mechanisms against trafficking in persons and online exploitation.

The participation of IACAT was strongly supported by Executive Director Atty. Hannah Lizette S. Manalili, whose presence and engagement throughout the Summit underscored the Council’s continued commitment to close collaboration with both government and industry partners in advancing child protection in digital spaces.

Overall, the Summit served as a strong reminder that meaningful progress in protecting children online is achieved when institutions work together with clarity of purpose, shared responsibility, and sustained cooperation.

News Alert
Migrant Workers Protection Bureau

𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗸𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗮 𝗗𝘂𝗯𝗮𝗶, 𝗻𝗮𝘂𝘄𝗶 𝘀𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗸𝗼; 𝟮 𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗹 𝗻𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗿𝘂𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗿, 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗼

𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘴, 𝘊𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘦 — Sa ikinasang operasyon ng Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), katuwang ang Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), agad naaresto kagabi sa General Trias, Cavite ang dalawang hinihinalang ilegal na rekruiter na sina Elmina Hajiruk Jawad alyas “Mau” at Angelina Paridjal Abduhasan alyas “Josh” matapos ireklamo ng kanilang mga biktima dahil sa napakong pangakong trabaho sa Dubai.

Ayon sa reklamo, tatlong aplikante ang pinangakuan umano nina “Mau” at “Josh” ng trabaho bilang nanny sa Dubai na may sahod na 1,600 dirhams kada buwan. Ipinakilala rin umano ng mga suspek na lehitimo ang proseso ng kanilang deployment at sinabing naghihintay na lamang ang mga aplikante ng kanilang pag-alis patungong Dubai.

Gayunman, sa isinagawang beripikasyon ng DMW, napag-alamang walang aprubadong job order para sa Dubai ang recruitment agency na ginagamit ng mga suspek para makapagpadala ng manggagawa sa nasabing bansa. Dahil dito, agad na nagsampa ng reklamo ang mga biktima sa tanggapan ng DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau (MWPB) kahapon nang umaga.

Habang ikinakasa ang operasyon laban sa mga suspek, nadiskubre rin ng mga awtoridad ang iba pang mga aplikanteng umano’y nabiktima sa nasabing lugar, dahilan upang agad silang ma-rescue ng mga operatiba.

Kasalukuyang inihahanda ng mga awtoridad ang mga reklamong isasampa laban kina “Mau” at “Josh” kaugnay ng paglabag sa mga batas laban sa illegal recruitment.

Nananawagan ang DMW Migrant Workers Protection Bureau sa iba pang mga biktima nina “Mau” at “Josh” na mangyari lamang na makipag-ugnayan sa pamamagitan ng https://www.facebook.com/dmwairtip upang mabigyan ng libreng tulong legal.