IACAT

24/10/2026

𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶-𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴

The Philippines called on Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states to strengthen cross-border cooperation against human trafficking and translate their commitments into concrete action as national anti-trafficking committees convened in Cebu for the 4th Regional Meeting of Southeast Asian National Anti-Trafficking Committees with a theme, “From Shared Concerns to Regional Action: Advancing Awareness and Advocacy Against Trafficking in Persons” last 13-15 October 2026.

The meeting was organized by the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, chaired by the Department of Justice - Philippines, and is among the side events within the ASEAN Political-Security Community pillar under the Philippines’ ASEAN 2026 PH Chairship.

The three-day Regional Meeting brought together high-level representatives from Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Viet Nam.

It provided a platform for delegates to exchange experiences on emerging trafficking concerns, discuss developments and identify practical areas for continued regional cooperation particularly in enhancing Victim Identification and National Referral Mechanisms. Representatives of ASEAN member states’ national anti-trafficking committees presented their recent challenges and initiatives in anti-trafficking, with several states highlighting the establishment of anti-trafficking task forces and victim identification champions within their national structures.

Joining the Philippine delegates in welcoming their ASEAN counterparts, Secretary Fredderick Vida called on Southeast Asian countries to strengthen regional networks and commit to concrete action against online scam-related trafficking and forced criminality, while Governor Pamela Baricuatro of the Cebu Provincial Government reaffirmed Cebu’s commitment to local anti-trafficking initiatives, including efforts to combat the online sexual exploitation of children.

One of the main objectives for this year’s Regional Meeting is to develop a unified key messaging and an advocacy framework against human trafficking across ASEAN anti-trafficking committees.

Building on shared concerns identified during country presentations, participants worked to determine the priority issues to be addressed by the regional advocacy campaign. The facilitators guided participants through the framework development process, assisting them identify priority issues, define target audiences, formulate key messages, and translate shared concerns into proposed campaign concepts.

𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲. 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝟭𝟬 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆-𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀.

Delegates reached a consensus that online scam-related trafficking and forced criminality linked to deceptive and fraudulent online recruitment will be the priority concern of the regional campaign. Delegates further shared the common view that victim status must be carefully weighed throughout the investigation so that victims are protected rather than wrongly jailed, and that the non-punishment principle is not a blanket immunity for committing trafficking. So that ultimately, perpetrators will be brought to justice.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲: “𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗡, 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗽. 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴.”

The national anti-trafficking committees aims to launch the campaign within their countries on 12 December 2026, in line with the International Day Against Trafficking, with a common direction and measurable results, sharpening it with regional data.

With this unified message, the 4th Regional Meeting urges people across the region to expose deceptive online recruitment and trafficking schemes, and to recognize and report potential cases of exploitation. Participating countries’ anti-trafficking committees are taking a concrete step toward a more coordinated regional advocacy response that reflects their shared concerns and can be carried forward through national campaigns and cross-border cooperation.

24/10/2026

PRESS RELEASE | NBI DISMANTLES SCAM HUB IN SUBIC, OLONGAPO CITY; 200 VIETNAMESE WORKERS RESCUED

MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) shut down a scam hub in Subic, Olongapo City, during an October 22, 2026, operation. Agents secured around 200 Vietnamese nationals working at the site and seized computers, mobile phones and documents used to run the operation.

The operation was carried out by the NBI-Pampanga District Office (PAMDO) pursuant to a Warrant to Search, Seize and Examine Computer Data (WSSECD) issued by RTC Branch 73, Olongapo City. It followed a month of surveillance and intelligence work on the facility.

“We are working overtime in our fight against scam hubs and transnational online fraud. We will not stop at seizing computers and scripts. We will look into bank accounts, e-wallets, and the people who rent them out,” said NBI Director Atty. Melvin A. Matibag. “We are following the money from this facility to every account that held it. Anyone who lends an account to these operations will be held accountable under the law.”

Evidence recovered at the site shows the hub was organized like a business. It operated round-the-clock shifts and maintained a dedicated payments desk that processed deposits and withdrawals, moving funds through a network of bank and e-wallet accounts. Its staff schedules show teams assigned to targets in the Philippines, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh.

The NBI is screening every worker found at the site to determine which are victims of human trafficking. Those found to have been recruited through deception or held against their will will be treated as victims under Republic Act No. 9208, as amended. The NBI is coordinating with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), and the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam regarding their welfare, documentation, and repatriation.

The NBI is preparing complaints against the individuals who organized, managed, and financed the operation for violations of [Republic Act No. 12010 (Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act), Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), Republic Act No. 9160 (Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001), as amended, and Republic Act No. 9208, as amended].

The NBI is working with the Anti-Money Laundering Council and financial institutions to identify and freeze the accounts the operation used. The NBI is investigating the operators and their links abroad.

23/10/2026

𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗡𝗖𝗖-𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗖-𝗖𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗠 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 (𝗗𝗙𝗔) – 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹

As the Philippines prepares for the upcoming 2026 ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Protection, strengthening diplomatic readiness and professional engagement remains essential to fostering effective international cooperation. In support of this, the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM (NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM) Secretariat and the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT Secretariat, in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)–Office of Protocol, jointly conducted a Protocol Training on 14 September 2026.

The capacity-building activity underscored the importance of equipping government personnel with the knowledge and skills necessary to engage effectively with foreign governments, international organizations, development partners, and law enforcement counterparts. As coordinating bodies working on anti-trafficking and child protection against sexual abuse and exploitation, both Secretariats routinely participate in engagements that require professionalism, cultural awareness, and adherence to diplomatic and government protocols.

Facilitated by 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝗖. 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮 and 𝗠𝘀. 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗮 𝗟. 𝗗𝗲 𝗟𝗮𝗿𝗮 of the DFA–Office of Protocol, the training covered fundamental concepts of protocol, social graces, professional etiquette, and appropriate preparations for engagements with dignitaries and other stakeholders. The facilitators provided practical guidance to help participants navigate formal government and diplomatic interactions with confidence and respect.

The training further strengthened the institutional readiness of the NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM and IACAT Secretariats as they continue to build partnerships and support collaborative efforts against trafficking in persons, online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), and child sexual abuse and exploitation materials (CSAEM).
In particular, the activity forms part of the preparations for the upcoming 2026 ASEAN ICT Forum on Child Protection, reinforcing the importance of protocol proficiency in facilitating meaningful regional dialogue, international cooperation, and high-level stakeholder engagement.

Through continued collaboration with the DFA and other government partners, the Secretariats remain committed to enhancing their institutional capabilities and ensuring that engagements in support of child protection and anti-trafficking efforts are conducted with professionalism, respect, and due regard for diplomatic standards.

22/10/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 / 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗦

𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗬 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 for the 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗺𝗽 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗔𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲.

✅ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

• Be a duly registered business entity in the Philippines and compliant with labor and government regulations;
• Have at least five (5) years of verifiable experience in the industry;
• Proven track record in website development and management, whether for private organizations or government agencies; and
• Demonstrated experience in the successful development, design, or revamp of websites in compliance with relevant Philippine laws, rules and regulations, including relevant data privacy, cybersecurity and other government standards.

✅ 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

• Letter of Expression of Interest
• PhilGEPS Registration Certificate
• BIR Certificate of Registration
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Technical proposal

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗧𝗢𝗥) 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFztgpjz8prWzcatKxKhIVvFkIYBBBf2/view?usp=sharing

𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗼: [email protected]

𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

22/10/2026

𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗧 / 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗦

𝗛𝗜𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗢𝗙 𝗔 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗬 𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗛𝗡𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗟 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗧 to Review the Progress of the 𝟰𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 (𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯–𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳).

✅ 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

• At least five (5) years of experience in policy review, research, or evaluation.
• Proven experience in evaluation initiatives, preferably in government agencies.
• Experience in a position of key responsibility in a government agency, NGO, university, or international organization.

✅ 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:

• Letter of Expression of Interest
• PhilGEPS Registration Certificate
• BIR Certificate of Registration
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Technical proposal

𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 (𝗧𝗢𝗥) 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KiyUoFxC2bPexFc8fBH4prdL8qMcYvcF/view?usp=sharing

𝗦𝘂𝗯𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗼: [email protected]

𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗨𝗕𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡: 𝗢𝗖𝗧𝗢𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟮𝟲, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

22/10/2026

LIVE: The Department of Justice conducts Press Briefing today, 22 October 2026

21/10/2026

Tier 1. Eleven years running. 🇵🇭
The 2026 US Trafficking in Persons Report affirms the Philippines again meets the minimum standards in the fight against human trafficking, citing stronger victim identification, referral, and prosecution systems.
This week, as host of the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime, the Philippines carries that work to the region. Stronger cooperation, better protection, results people can feel.
Read more: https://asean2026.press/Tier-1-US-TIP

20/10/2026

The Department of Justice (DOJ) proudly celebrates the Philippines’ continued Tier 1 status in the 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report of the United States Department of State for the 11th consecutive year. As emphasized by DOJ Undersecretary Atty. Nicholas Felix Ty, this milestone reflects the government’s sustained commitment, through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and its partner agencies, to combat human trafficking and strengthen the country’s anti-trafficking efforts.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) proudly celebrates the Philippines’ continued Tier 1 status in the 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report of the United States Department of State for the 11th consecutive year. As emphasized by DOJ Undersecretary Atty. Nicholas Felix Ty, this milestone reflects the government’s sustained commitment, through the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and its partner agencies, to combat human trafficking and strengthen the country’s anti-trafficking efforts.

20/10/2026

PRESS RELEASE | DOJ Secures Conviction of Woman Accused in Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Case
Anchored on its mission to strengthen child protection policies amid evolving threats and forms of abuse, the Department of Justice (DOJ) secured the conviction of a woman for exploiting a minor to produce online sexual abuse material in exchange for money from foreign clients.
Following an entrapment and rescue operation conducted on 12 February 2026 in Payatas, Quezon City, the accused was arrested and the minor was placed in the care of social welfare authorities.
The case stemmed from a referral transmitted by the Australian Federal Police through the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center, prompting a joint operation executed by the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center – Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (PNP-WCPC-ATIPD), the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, and the Quezon City Social Services Development Department.
The accused pleaded guilty to, and was subsequently convicted of, three (3) counts of violation of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The accused was originally charged with qualified trafficking in persons and violations of Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.
The court imposed a penalty of five (5) to seven (7) years and four (4) months of imprisonment to the accused for each of the three (3) counts, to be served successively and without the benefit of probation.
In honor of their swift and coordinated efforts in the rescue of the child victim-survivor and the successful prosecution of the accused, the Department commended the prosecutors who handled the case including Assistant State Prosecutor Criselda B. Teoxon-Yanga, Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Angelo P. Yanga and Prosecution Attorney Joann Ross C. Evangelista, along with law enforcement and social welfare authorities.
“True to the DOJ’s commitment to protect the rights and welfare of children under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we remain firm in holding exploiters accountable without putting the involved child victim-survivors at risk of stress or re-traumatization,” Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida reaffirmed.

PRESS RELEASE | DOJ Secures Conviction of Woman Accused in Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Case

Anchored on its mission to strengthen child protection policies amid evolving threats and forms of abuse, the Department of Justice (DOJ) secured the conviction of a woman for exploiting a minor to produce online sexual abuse material in exchange for money from foreign clients.

Following an entrapment and rescue operation conducted on 12 February 2026 in Payatas, Quezon City, the accused was arrested and the minor was placed in the care of social welfare authorities.

The case stemmed from a referral transmitted by the Australian Federal Police through the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center, prompting a joint operation executed by the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center – Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division (PNP-WCPC-ATIPD), the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group, and the Quezon City Social Services Development Department.

The accused pleaded guilty to, and was subsequently convicted of, three (3) counts of violation of Republic Act No. 7610, or the Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. The accused was originally charged with qualified trafficking in persons and violations of Republic Act No. 11930, or the Anti-Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Anti-Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Act.

The court imposed a penalty of five (5) to seven (7) years and four (4) months of imprisonment to the accused for each of the three (3) counts, to be served successively and without the benefit of probation.

In honor of their swift and coordinated efforts in the rescue of the child victim-survivor and the successful prosecution of the accused, the Department commended the prosecutors who handled the case including Assistant State Prosecutor Criselda B. Teoxon-Yanga, Assistant State Prosecutor Gino Angelo P. Yanga and Prosecution Attorney Joann Ross C. Evangelista, along with law enforcement and social welfare authorities.

“True to the DOJ’s commitment to protect the rights and welfare of children under the Bagong Pilipinas brand of leadership of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., we remain firm in holding exploiters accountable without putting the involved child victim-survivors at risk of stress or re-traumatization,” Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida reaffirmed.

20/10/2026

By bringing ASEAN Member States and dialogue partners together, the Philippines advances collective action to strengthen law enforcement, protect communities, and build a safer and more secure region.
As host of the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and Related Meetings on October 19–21, 2026, the Philippines leads discussions on addressing human trafficking, cybercrime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and other cross-border threats.
Read more here: https://asean2026.press/AMMTC-Regional-Action

By bringing ASEAN Member States and dialogue partners together, the Philippines advances collective action to strengthen law enforcement, protect communities, and build a safer and more secure region.

As host of the 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and Related Meetings on October 19–21, 2026, the Philippines leads discussions on addressing human trafficking, cybercrime, drug trafficking, money laundering, and other cross-border threats.

Read more here: https://asean2026.press/AMMTC-Regional-Action