MANILA, Philippines — Authorities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport are ramping up efforts to combat illegal recruitment and human trafficking through enhanced inter-agency coordination.
In a meeting held Tuesday at the Department of Migrant Workers headquarters in Mandaluyong City, representatives from over a dozen government agencies gathered to develop new strategies for addressing the evolving tactics used by traffickers and illegal recruiters operating at the airport terminals.
Key issues covered included improving departure screening procedures, streamlining the referral system for potential trafficking cases, strengthening investigative and prosecutorial efforts, and ensuring immediate assistance is provided to those identified as potential victims.
In attendance were officials from the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Foreign Affairs, Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, social welfare agencies, law enforcement units specializing in human trafficking and cybercrime, airport authorities and non-governmental anti-trafficking organizations.
Organizers stressed the meeting signals a unified drive to enhance the nation’s capabilities in combating the global scourge through robust intelligence sharing, joint operations and continued capacity building initiatives.
