The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office X (DSWD-10), through its Recovery and Reintegration Program for Trafficked Persons (RRPTP), assisted in 19 rescue operations in 2025, while facilitating services for a total of 105 victim-survivors of trafficking and related cases.

Of the total number served, 60 were rescued during operations, 13 were referral cases, and 22 were walk-in clients who directly sought assistance from the Department. Through reports received via hotline and official email channels, RRPTP was also able to facilitate referrals to law enforcement agencies for investigation and the preparation of possible rescue operations, strengthening early response and intervention efforts.

All victim-survivors were provided with comprehensive social welfare services carried out jointly by DSWD-10 and local government units (LGUs). These included psychosocial counseling, educational and livelihood assistance, support for victims and witnesses, and the provision of hygiene kits to address their immediate needs.

Majority of the cases involved Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), accounting for 81 out of the 105 cases. Other reported cases included sexual exploitation, prostitution, illegal recruitment, illegal surrogacy, forced labor, and children in conflict with the law. Notably, 56 of the victim-survivors were minors, while 39 were adults, underscoring the heightened vulnerability of children to trafficking and exploitation.

Geographically, Lanao del Norte recorded the highest number of cases with 52 clients served, followed by Misamis Occidental and Misamis Oriental. Additional cases were documented in Bukidnon and as far as Camarines Sur in Region V, reflecting the expanding reach of the program beyond Northern Mindanao.

The rescue operations were conducted in close collaboration with partner agencies, including LGUs, the Regional Anti-Cybercrime Unit 10, the Women and Children Protection Center – Mindanao Field Unit, and Task Force OSAEC in Iligan City, with active support from the Department of Justice–Regional Anti-Child Online Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force 10 and International Justice Mission.

Through sustained multi-sectoral collaboration and strengthened frontline response mechanisms, DSWD-10 continues to address the complexities of human trafficking. The agency also intensifies its advocacy initiatives, enhances capacity-building for social workers, and ensures the delivery of holistic and responsive services to victim-survivors.

DSWD-10 remains optimistic that these efforts will empower survivors toward full recovery and reintegration, while strengthening community resilience in the prevention of human trafficking. ###