Ahead of the global observance, the Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking (PIMAHT) observed the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 28, 2026 in Antipolo City, Rizal.
“Today’s gathering is a reminder that ending trafficking requires united actions,” said PIMAHT in a Facebook post, underscoring the importance of supporting each other’s initiatives to combat human trafficking and working together to build a world where every child grows up in a community founded on safety, love, and dignity.
Photo courtesy of Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking
More than a hundred church leaders, workers, and child rights advocates in Rizal province gathered to coordinate efforts to address human trafficking and online sexual abuse and exploitation of children (OSAEC).
The gathering was led by the PIMAHT Secretariat, consisting of three major church councils in the Philippines, namely the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), and the Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC). Christian denominations and church networks that also pooled ideas included the Roman Catholic Diocese of Antipolo, the Rizal Ecumenical Movement, and the Rizal Children’s Ministries Network.
PIMAHT reiterated that these rights violations are not simply crimes but, worse, affronts to God’s gift of human dignity.
“As people of faith, we are called not to remain silent, but to become instruments of justice, compassion, and hope,” said PIMAHT.
During a panel discussion on the role of faith-based communities, Ms. Jimarie Snap Mabanta, NCCP Program Director on Ecumenical Education and Nurture (EEN), highlighted the need to create care-giving programs and services for survivors, as well as to provide accompaniment in seeking accountability and justice and helping them recover their power.
The participants discussed existing initiatives, identified gaps and challenges, and explored opportunities for collaboration to combat human trafficking. Among the issues emphasized was the need for a more coordinated and sustainable response to human trafficking and OSAEC. In response, the participants proposed creating a Technical Working Group to convene and mobilize collaborative efforts in the province. As an opening move, PIMAHT’s Secretariat decided to draw two representatives from each network in Rizal to form said group.
The Philippine Interfaith Movement Against Human Trafficking (PIMAHT) is a network of churches and faith-based organizations with representatives from Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), and the Philippines Council of Evangelical Churches (PCEC), together with the Philippine Children’s Ministries Network (PCMN), International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines, and Talitha Kum Philippines (TKP). (Photo courtesy of PIMAHT)
The Technical Working Group is expected to convene regularly to strengthen collaborative efforts across the Rizal province. They will work together with other member organizations of PIMAHT, including International Justice Mission (IJM) Philippines and Talitha Kum Philippines (TKP). The NCCP currently serves as PIMAHT’s convener, a role it will hold until 2028.
For this gathering, the NCCP was represented by its Deputy General Secretary, Mr. Mervin Sol Toquero, together with Rev. Marie Sol Villalon of the United Methodist Church, Ms. Jeruzel Seva from NCCP-EEN, students and faculty members of Harris Memorial College, and members of the Rizal Ecumenical Movement.
The session on anti-trafficking concluded with a Commitment Signing Ceremony, where participants vowed to work together in addressing human trafficking, abuse, and exploitation within their communities.
The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is globally observed on July 30 to raise awareness, advocate for victims, and stop human trafficking.
The Technical Working Group is composed of the following:
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines
1. Bro. Nelson Arnaldo (Diocese of Antipolo Committee Against Human Trafficking)
2. Sis. Vicky Bañez (Diocese of Antipolo Committee Against Human Trafficking)
National Council of Churches in the Philippines
1. Rev. Ana Liza Cabangan (United Methodist Church)
2. Dss. Angelita Broncano (Harris Memorial College)
Philippine Council of Evangelical Churches
1. Ptr. Jayson Clark Maritana (Rizal Children’s Ministries Network)
2. Ptr. Rey Pablo (Rizal Children’s Ministries Network)
