MANILA — The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has stepped up its efforts against scam hubs and trafficking networks targeting overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), as the government continues its intensified campaign against human trafficking.

DMW Undersecretary Darlene Pajarito said the government is implementing a whole-of-government approach focused on victim protection, rescue operations, and the prosecution of traffickers.

“Across government, our focus is on supporting the victims, many of whom are migrant workers,” Pajarito said. “The DMW is closely coordinating with the Department of Justice and the Public Attorney’s Office to ensure that rescued individuals receive legal assistance and protection,” she added.

Pajarito also warned of what she described as “criminal displacement,” a tactic allegedly used by traffickers to move victims across borders to avoid detection and enforcement actions. She said similar patterns have been observed in countries such as Cambodia and Vietnam.

She added that government operations have already led to the rescue of victims and the filing of cases against traffickers through coordinated inter-agency efforts.

Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo J. Cacdac said the government is strengthening enforcement through closer coordination with law enforcement agencies and international partners.

“We are working closely with the Department of Justice, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, the Philippine National Police, and the National Bureau of Investigation,” Cacdac said.

He also said the DMW has conducted entrapment operations, including at airports, and deployed labor attachés and rapid response teams in key locations such as Bangkok and Phnom Penh to provide immediate assistance to affected OFWs and improve coordination on trafficking cases.