The Philippines has retained its “Tier 1” ranking in the 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report of the U.S. State Department, marking the 10th straight year that the country has met the highest global standards in combating human trafficking.
According to the U.S. Embassy in Manila, the ranking reflects that the Philippines “fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking.” Only 33 of the 188 countries assessed belong to Tier 1, which signifies serious and sustained efforts, though it does not mean trafficking no longer occurs.
Key Achievements Cited
The TIP Report praised the Philippines for expanding investigations, prosecutions, and convictions of traffickers—including corrupt officials—and imposing significant prison terms on offenders.
It also highlighted reforms such as new laws regulating fishing recruitment agencies to protect fishers, and measures to disrupt large-scale trafficking operations tied to online scams. The government’s move to ban Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) licenses, often exploited as cover for trafficking, was noted as a decisive step.
Standing Out in Southeast Asia
Of the 11 Southeast Asian nations, only the Philippines and Singapore earned Tier 1 status. Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam remain on Tier 2, while Brunei is on the Tier 2 “watchlist.” Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar are in Tier 3, the lowest category.
The report reiterates that human trafficking manifests primarily as sex trafficking and forced labor, serious crimes that persist globally despite government efforts. The Philippines’ continued presence in Tier 1, however, reflects consistent progress and international recognition of its commitment to protecting vulnerable groups.
