Manila: The Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 rating in the United States Department of State Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla announced. The Tier 1 status signifies that a country fully meets the minimum standards of the US Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 for the elimination of human trafficking.
According to Philippines News Agency, the 2025 TIP report highlights that the Philippine government continues to fully meet these standards, showcasing key actions taken over the past year. This includes progress in law enforcement, where authorities have investigated, prosecuted, and convicted more traffickers, including corrupt officials, with many receiving significant prison sentences. New legislation has been enacted to regulate fishing recruitment agencies, protecting Filipino fishers from exploitation. Additionally, steps have been taken to disrupt industrial-scale human trafficking linked to online scam operations, such as banning Philippine offshore gaming operator (POGO) licenses that were often misused.
The report also provides prioritized recommendations for the Philippines to further enhance its anti-trafficking efforts. These include intensifying efforts to investigate and prosecute traffickers, ensuring significant prison terms for convicted offenders, and improving proactive identification and assistance for trafficking victims. Special attention is directed at online scam operations, where many victims remain unrecognized.
The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) noted that the 2025 TIP report was released on Sept. 29, with only 33 out of 188 governments achieving Tier 1 status. The Philippines has sustained this top ranking for a decade. The US State Department commended the Philippine government for its comprehensive and victim-centric approach, especially in prosecution, prevention, and victim protection.
Justice Secretary Remulla emphasized that the government is guided by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directives to intensify efforts against human trafficking, ban illegal POGOs exploiting individuals for forced scamming, and combat online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC). Meanwhile, Department of Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty stressed the importance of global partnerships in ending human trafficking. He highlighted the national campaign "Iisang Nasyon, Iisang Aksyon, Tapusin ang Human Trafficking at OSAEC Ngayon," emphasizing that success can only be achieved if demand and destination countries share the mission.
"We are only a part of a larger chain of protection. Thus, we will continue to amplify this distinguished recognition by reaching out to more stakeholders from civil society organizations, private sectors, international organizations, and foreign governments," Ty stated.