DOJ Intensifies Battle Against Trafficking, Child Exploitation

Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida

DOJ Intensifies Battle Against Trafficking, Child Exploitation

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | April 10, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – In a decisive move against human trafficking and the online sexual exploitation of children, the Department of Justice (DOJ), under the leadership of Justice Secretary Fredderick A. Vida, convened a pivotal meeting with Senator Loren Legarda to chart a more aggressive policy direction.

The agenda centered on fortifying Republic Act No. 9208, as amended, alongside Republic Act No. 11930, to tackle the evolving, technology-driven, and cross-border threats posed by traffickers.

A significant highlight of the discussions was the DOJ’s push for the Expanded Anti-OSAEC and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) Bill, which stands as a cornerstone of the administration’s legislative priorities.

To bridge existing enforcement gaps, the DOJ proposed robust enhancements to border control and monitoring frameworks. This includes improved vessel registration protocols, advanced maritime surveillance, and stricter oversight of irregular migration routes that traffickers frequently exploit.

Emphasizing a comprehensive governmental approach, the DOJ called for enhanced collaboration between the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the National Coordination Center Against OSAEC and CSAEM. This unified strategy aims to ensure rapid, victim-centered responses to these heinous crimes.

“We are advocating for adaptive legislation that closes loopholes in our criminal justice system, safeguarding every victim—particularly women and children—under the rule of law,” asserted Justice Secretary Vida.

Joining Secretary Vida in this critical dialogue were key officials, including IACAT Undersecretary-in-Charge Nicholas Felix L. Ty, Assistant Secretary Michelle Anne S. Lapuz, IACAT Executive Director Hannah Lizette S. Manalili, and NCC-OSAEC-CSAEM OIC Executive Director Barbara Mae Pagdilao-Flores, signaling a formidable coalition committed to impactful legislative change.