On June 24, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Ambassador-at-Large to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Cindy Dyer officially released the 2024 Trafficking-in-Persons (TIP) Report—an eagerly-anticipated, comprehensive resource of anti-trafficking efforts around the world.

As of the 2024 TIP Report, the Philippines retained its Tier 1 status, the highest rating of anti-trafficking efforts.

This year, IJM Philippines’ National Director Atty. Samson Inocencio, Jr. was also recognized as one of the 10 TIP Report Heroes:

He collaborated with the Government of the Philippines in 2016 to develop a 'roadmap to Tier 1' in the U.S. Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report. The Philippines has been ranked Tier 1 for eight years due to the merits of its efforts.

(Source: 2024 TIP Report)

Philippines ranks Tier 1 for nearly a decade

The TIP Report classifies each country by a tier system, based on their government’s efforts to meet the Trafficking Victims Protection Act’s (TVPA) minimum standards for the elimination of human trafficking. The complete tier rankings and narratives can be found in the full report, but is summarized as follows:

• Tier 1: Countries whose governments fully meet the TVPA’s minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.

• Tier 2: Countries whose governments do not fully meet the TVPA’s minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards.

• Tier 2 Watch List: Countries whose governments do not fully meet the TVPA’s minimum standards but are making significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with those standards, and for which […].

• Tier 3: Countries whose governments do not fully meet the TVPA’s minimum standards and are not making significant efforts to do so.

As of the 2024 TIP Report, the Philippines once again attained Tier 1 status, maintaining this top ranking for nearly a decade. This esteemed recognition affirms the government’s persistent and sustained efforts in combatting human trafficking:

For nine straight years, the Philippine government has been relentless in its campaign to eradicate all forms of human trafficking. We have already gone this far and there is no stopping us in our ultimate goal of creating a world completely free from human trafficking. Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla, taken from the DOJ Press Release

IJM applauds the Philippine government for its staunch commitment and efforts to propel interventions against human trafficking, especially in protecting Filipino children from online sexual exploitation and abuse.

IJM leaders recognized as TIP Heroes

As part of the Report, the Department of State also honors individuals who have remarkably contributed to the fight against human trafficking. The ‘TIP Report Hero Award’ is the highest honor given by the U.S. government for anti-slavery leadership around the world.

More than 170 individuals from over 90 countries from diverse backgrounds and professions have been recognized; but all deeply engaged in efforts worldwide to rescue victims, support survivors, and implement systematic improvements within local law enforcement systems, grassroots advocacy networks, and government strategy.

This year, IJM Philippines’ National Director Atty. Samson Inocencio Jr., was recognized as one of the TIP Report Heroes. View the awarding here.

IJM’s Founder and CEO, Gary Haugen received a TIP Hero award in 2012.

I am proud and grateful for my IJM team and partners in the government, civil society, and private sector for all the tireless work combatting online sexual exploitation of children in the Philippines - once perceived a hotspot, the country is now a recognized global leader in implementing innovative solutions to combat the crime. IJM Philippines’ National Director Atty. Samson Inocencio, Jr.

*Photo credit from the Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights

Continuing the fight against OSAEC in the Philippines

In combatting trafficking in persons, specifically the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC), IJM has been working with the Philippine government to protect children and hold perpetrators accountable. This collaboration has resulted in more than 400 operations, leading to the rescue of over 1300 victims and arrest of more than 400 suspects of online sexual exploitation of children (first case dates back to 2011).

With the President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. issuing fresh directives to intensify the fight against OSAEC, there is an urgent call for collective action to protect Filipino children from this heinous crime. IJM Philippines will continue supporting the work of Philippine authorities, even accelerating efforts to end this type of trafficking in the country.

This recognition propels us forward, enabling us to engage more stakeholders in our mission to protect vulnerable children in the Philippines and beyond. IJM Philippines’ National Director Atty. Samson Inocencio, Jr.

The [Philippines] State declares an ‘all-out war’ against every single human trafficker out there preying on the innocent, we will show no mercy in running after each one of you. Secretary of Justice Jesus Crispin Remulla, taken from the DOJ Press Release