Ched Rick Gatchalian

Departing passengers queue before the immigration counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on July 4, 2023. The NAIA Terminal 3 doubles the number of immigration counters as part of The Bureau of Immigration and Manila International Airport Authority's plans to address long immigration queues. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

PCG raises human trafficking concerns as Asean commanders convene in Manila

Michael Delizo

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA – The Philippines on Tuesday raised growing concerns over human trafficking with Southeast Asian neighbors amid the rise of scam hubs recruiting Filipinos through underground channels.</p><p>Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan said trafficking in persons has become a shared concern in the region, emphasizing that neighboring Southeast Asian countries play a significant role in combating the issue.</p><p>This year, the PCG is hosting the annual Southeast Asia Maritime Law Enforcement Initiative (SEAMLEI) Commander’s Forum — a dialogue among senior commanders of maritime law enforcement agencies from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and the United States.</p><p>“We have had some issues on Filipinos being illegally shipped out of the country to other areas in the ASEAN to work in illicit industries. And the cooperation of coast guards in the region can really help the Philippines prevent or avert the movement of our own people to harm’s way,” Gavan told reporters in a media briefing prior to the dialogue.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/13/naia-task-force-thwarts-possible-human-trafficking-of-20-year-old-filipina-1655">NAIA Task Force thwarts possible human trafficking of 20-year-old Filipina</a></div><p>Gavan stressed the need for a unified approach anchored on communication, collaboration, and coordination to address shared maritie security challenges, including transnational crimes.</p><p>The PCG chief added that tightening coordinated patrols could help curb trafficking and other illegal activities.</p><p>“Combatting illegal drugs and other transnational crimes are enabled by information. So, for as long as we exchange better information, we can also better our enforcement actions. So, this is the essence – to better harmonize the flow of information,” he said.</p><div> </div><div><strong>DETERRENCE VS ‘OTHER ACTORS’</strong></div><p>Gavan said the forum also aims to establish measures and protocols to address maritime coercion in the South China Sea.</p><p>China claims nearly the entire South China Sea, but the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei also have overlapping maritime claims and interests in the region.</p><p>“If we will have a common understanding of the rules and we adapt common ways in enforcing the rules, we will be creating a norm. And that norm will become a deterrent for other actors from misbehaving in our region,” he said.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/12/-we-will-never-leave-ph-coast-guard-walang-planong-umalis-sa-west-philippine-sea-0838">&#x27;We will never leave&#x27;: PH Coast Guard walang planong umalis sa West Philippine Sea</a></div><p>China has been involved in coercive and aggressive actions in the South China Sea, including the use of water cannons and dangerous maneuvers against other nations’ vessels, a large-scale land reclamation campaign to build military outposts, and the deployment of fishing fleets and maritime militia to assert its claims.</p><p>The United States, meanwhile, vowed to support Southeast Asian countries in strengthening regional stability and upholding a rules-based order.</p><p>“We look to exchange thoughts and recommendations for better collaboration with all the nations here,” said Rear Admiral Jeffrey Novak, commander of the US Coast Guard for the Pacific Area.</p><p>“The US Coast Guard does conduct training throughout Southeast Asia, and we look to continue that with the nations here,” he added.</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YJGe2eAbscQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Philippines on Tuesday raised growing concerns over human trafficking with Southeast Asian neighbors amid the rise of scam hubs recruiting Filipinos through underground channels.</p>

The Philippines on Tuesday raised growing concerns over human trafficking with Southeast Asian neighbors amid the rise of scam hubs recruiting Filipinos through underground channels.