The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) has issued a fresh call to the government to strengthen the enforcement of anti-human trafficking laws, emphasizing that legislative frameworks must be matched by more rigorous efforts on the ground to protect vulnerable citizens.
In a statement marking the National Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking, the CBCP’s Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) underscored the urgency of addressing modern-day slavery.
The CBCP highlighted that while the Philippines has robust legal protections, the evolving nature of trafficking—particularly online sexual exploitation and labor trafficking—requires more proactive intervention from the state.
Church leaders urged law enforcement agencies to increase surveillance of known recruitment hotspots and to target traffickers operating through digital platforms.
They further emphasized the need for more successful prosecutions under the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act and called for improved support systems to ensure the safe reintegration of survivors.
The CBCP also announced the expansion of its educational programs designed to help local parishes identify signs of human trafficking within their neighborhoods.
While the Philippines currently maintains a “Tier 1” status in global trafficking reports, the bishops warned against complacency, noting that poverty continues to drive many Filipinos into high-risk situations.
The CBCP also called for community vigilance, asserting that the Church and the government must work in tandem to ensure that no Filipino is treated as a commodity.