IACAT

𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗺-𝗦𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗶𝘃𝗼𝗿𝘀

The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) Secretariat, led by Executive Director Hannah Lizette S. Manalili, met with officials of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) at the TESDA Central Office in Taguig City on 18 May 2026 to discuss potential areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening skills development and reintegration opportunities for trafficking victim-survivors.

During the meeting, both agencies discussed initiatives to provide technical- vocational education, livelihood opportunities, and reintegration services to survivors, supporting their recovery and long-term empowerment.
A significant portion of the discussion focused on the proposed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) and Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) between IACAT and TESDA, which seek to institutionalize cooperation between the two agencies and support the sustained implementation of programs and services for trafficking survivors.

The meeting concluded with both agencies reaffirming their commitment to finalize the proposed agreements and strengthen inter-agency collaboration in promoting the protection, recovery, and reintegration of trafficking victim-survivors.

𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧 𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗖/𝗖𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗠 𝗜𝗡 𝗭𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗢𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗔 𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗬
On June 10, 2026, a Joint Rescue Operation and the implementation of Warrant to Search, Seize, and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) No. 01-2026 were successfully conducted in Barangay Tigbalabag, Zamboanga City, under the overall supervision of ACP Alfredo E. Jimenez, Head of the Zamboanga Sea-Based Anti-Trafficking Task Force (ZSBATTF).

The operation was led by the Women and Children Protection Center – Mindanao Field Unit (WCPC-MFU), in coordination with ZSBATTF member agencies included personnel from Philippine National Police-Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC) 9, MARPSTA Zamboanga City, Department of Social Welfare and Development Region IX (DSWD IX), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), ZCPO S2, Regional Anti-Child Exploitation Trafficking Task Force (RACETTF 9), Department of Justice-Inter Agency Council Against Trafficking Police Station 1-Vitali, Zamboanga City Police Office, Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 9 (RACU 9), Criminal Investigation Group-SWM/BARMM, Coast Guard Intelligence Unit-Zamboanga, and other partner agencies, with active support from the International Justice Mission (IJM) and DOJ-NCC OSAEC/CSAEM.

As a result of the operation, three (3) minor victims were successfully rescued and immediately referred to the appropriate social welfare agencies for protection, care, and rehabilitation services. Digital and electronic evidence relevant to the case were likewise recovered during the implementation of the warrant, leading to the arrest of the suspect for violations of Republic Act No. 11930, Republic Act No. 9208 as amended, and Republic Act No. 7610.

This successful operation reflects the strong collaboration among law enforcement agencies, government partners, and civil society organizations in safeguarding children and holding offenders accountable. The ZSBATTF remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals and strengthening efforts against human trafficking, OSAEC, CSAEM, and all forms of child exploitation.

PRESS RELEASE | NBI RESCUES 15 VICTIMS, ARRESTS 3 IN ILLEGAL SURROGACY OPERATION IN PAMPANGA

The National Bureau of Investigation–Human Trafficking Division (NBI-HTRAD) arrested three (3) individuals and rescued fifteen (15) victims in an operation conducted against an alleged illegal surrogacy agency in Porac, Pampanga.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed by a former surrogate mother against House of Surrogacy PH (HOS PH). The complainant alleged that HOS PH recruits financially disadvantaged women to bear children for intended parents (IPs) under deceptive agreements, for the purpose of exploitation. According to the complaint, these women were paid to carry pregnancies and surrender custody upon birth to prospective adoptive parents. After which the Subjects facilitate the falsification of children's details on the birth certificates.

Acting on the complaint, NBI-HTRAD conducted verification with the Department of Health, which confirmed that HOS PH is is neither licensed nor accredited as a healthcare facility. Coordination was likewise made with the NBI-Central Luzon Regional Office (NBI-CELRO) and the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) of Porac, Pampanga.

Subsequent surveillance and an undercover operation led NBI-HTRAD operatives to identify the individuals involved and uncover the alleged exploitation of surrogate mothers. Operatives also discovered a second facility in Porac, Pampanga housing additional pregnant women victims.

Upon confirming the presence of both the Subjects and victims in the two locations, NBI-HTRAD, together with representatives from the MSWDO and Project Rescue Children, conducted a simultaneous raid, which resulted in the arrest of the three (3) Subjects and the rescue of fifteen (15) victims. The arrested individuals were apprised of the violations they committed and their constitutional rights, and were subsequently brought to NBI-HTRAD to undergo the booking procedure.

Documents are currently being prepared for the conduct of inquest proceedings against the subjects for violations of pertinent laws.

NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag emphasized that the Bureau remains steadfast in its mission to combat human trafficking and all forms of exploitation. “No individual should be treated as a commodity or be exploited because of their circumstances. The NBI will relentlessly pursue those who prey on the vulnerable and will continue working closely with partner agencies to uphold the law, protect victims, and ensure that justice prevails,” Director Matibag added.

08 June 2026

2 female trafficking victims suspected to be recruited into prostitution rescued by BI officers at NAIA













READ: https://immigration.gov.ph/2-female-trafficking-victims-suspected-to-be-recruited-into-prostitution-rescued-by-bi-officers-at-naia/