Amid ongoing concerns over human trafficking in the country, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) issued an urgent appeal to the government to bolster anti-trafficking laws and enforcement. The call was made during the National Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. Bishop Socrates Mesiona led the release of a four-page statement.
In Manila, Bishop Socrates Mesiona, chairman of the CBCP-Episcopal Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ECMI) and apostolic vicar of Puerto Princesa, released a four-page statement during the observance of the National Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking (NDPAHT).
“With respect and urgency, we call on government institutions to continue strengthening the enforcement of anti-trafficking laws, enhance inter-agency coordination, protect victims, regulate recruitment systems, and address the root causes of trafficking such as poverty, inequality and lack of decent employment,” he said.
He added, “The protection of human dignity must remain at the center of public policy and governance.”
The CBCP-ECMI also urged its 87 dioceses to establish Diocesan Committees Against Human Trafficking (DCAHT) to coordinate, prevent, and protect people from trafficking syndicates.
Mesiona noted that human trafficking remains a serious issue in the Philippines, involving illegal recruitment, forced labor, sexual exploitation, and online abuse, particularly affecting children. Many Filipinos are deceived by false job promises, exacerbated by poverty, displacement, lack of education, armed conflict, natural disasters, and the misuse of digital platforms. These vulnerabilities impact migrants, women, children, and marginalized communities.
“These realities are not isolated incidents. They reflect deeper social conditions that demand urgent and sustained response,” he further stated.
He encouraged mentioning the NDPAHT in masses, holding forums and seminars, and using social media for advocacy. Mesiona views the NDPAHT as a “shared national call” between the church and the government.