In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the campaign against human trafficking, the Philippines has strengthened its cooperation with Cambodia to combat trafficking syndicates, forced labor in scam hubs, and ensure border security.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro on Friday said the Philippines and Cambodia have concluded a high-level Regional Dialogue and Knowledge Exchange designed to boost collaboration and share best practices against human trafficking and other forms of criminal activities affecting the two countries.

“Bilang tugon sa direktiba ni Pangulong Marcos Jr. na mas paigtingin ang regional cooperation para protektahan ang mga biktima ng human trafficking, labanan ang mga sindikato, at siguraduhin ang seguridad sa ating mga border, nagkaroon ng high-level dialogue ang Pilipinas at Cambodia,” Castro told a press briefing in Malacañang.

Castro said both countries sought to enhance their partnership and collaboration in sharing best practices and responding effectively to emerging forms of human trafficking, such as forced labor in scam hubs.

The Philippine delegation consisted of members of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). They recently met with their counterparts from the Cambodian National Committee for Counter-Trafficking.

Government agencies have warned the public against falling for online job offers abroad, since a number of Filipino overseas workers have been victimized by working for online scam syndicates.

Last month, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported that some Filipino trafficking victims were sold between online scam syndicates in Cambodia. | PND