DMW STEPS UP CRACKDOWN ON SCAM HUBS TARGETING OFWS

THE Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) underscored the government’s intensified efforts to combat human trafficking.

DMW Undersecretary Darlene Pajarito said the government adopts a whole-of-government approach that prioritizes victim protection, rescue operations, and prosecution of traffickers.

“Across government, our focus is on supporting the victims, many of whom are migrant workers,” Pajarito said.

“The DMW is closely coordinating with the Department of Justice and the Public Attorney’s Office to ensure that rescued individuals receive legal assistance and protection,” she added.

Pajarito also warned of emerging tactics such as “criminal displacement,” where traffickers move victims across borders to evade law enforcement.

She noted that such patterns have been observed in countries like Cambodia and Vietnam. She emphasized that many have been rescued and cases have been filed through the efforts of government agencies.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac also underscored that the government is taking decisive action through intensified coordination with law enforcement and international partners.

“We are working closely with the Department of Justice, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation,” he said.

Cacdac added that DMW has conducted entrapment operations, including at airports, and deployed labor attachés and rapid response teams in key hubs such as Bangkok and Phnom Penh to strengthen coordination and ensure immediate assistance to affected OFWs.