ANTI-TRAFFICKING experts have called for stronger technological innovation in law enforcement as digital and AI-driven crimes continue to evolve, despite the Philippines retaining its Tier 1 status in the 2025 US State Department Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report for the 10th consecutive year.
Advocates warned that sustained top-tier status should not lead to complacency, as traffickers increasingly exploit online platforms and emerging technologies faster than traditional responses can adapt.
The International Justice Mission (IJM) said gaps remain in the country’s anti-trafficking efforts, particularly in addressing tech-enabled exploitation.
The 2025 TIP Report, released by the US State Department’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, noted that while the Philippines fully meets minimum standards and imposes stringent penalties, weaknesses persist, including the absence of a centralized trafficking database.
“Despite these achievements, the persistence of tech-enabled crimes remains a significant challenge,” IJM said.
A 2022 IJM study with the University of Nottingham Rights Lab estimated that nearly 500,000 Filipino children were exploited for online sexual abuse materials. It stressed that AI and digital tools must be used both to disrupt trafficking networks and strengthen victim protection.
“The path forward requires continuous technological innovation and collaboration,” the study said, adding that AI can help detect harmful content, analyze online ads, and process digital evidence more efficiently.
IJM warned traffickers are increasingly using digital platforms to expand recruitment and exploitation, while AI is being used both to scale criminal activity and evade detection.
At the same time, it said AI can support real-time detection of suspicious content and improve law enforcement response.
The TIP Report said maintaining Tier 1 status requires adapting to threats such as online exploitation, illegal recruitment, and cyber-facilitated trafficking. It noted Asia accounts for about 59 percent of global trafficking victims.
It also cited the arrest in the Philippines of American fugitive Herbert Leon Kimble in connection with a $1.2-billion US health care fraud case, highlighting continued international enforcement cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration said it is pushing for an AI-enabled nationwide border security system under the proposed Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (Caiss) project, covering major airports and seaports, with biometric and real-time screening features.
BI said the technology could help strengthen detection of traffickers and transnational criminals as the Philippines works to keep pace with evolving cross-border crime.
BI spokesman Dana Sandoval said that the Caiss aims to deliver an integrated end-to-end solution covering all major airports, the Zamboanga seaport and six border crossing stations.
The proposed P10.74 billion public-private-partnership project will be at zero cost to the government.