Children in the Philippines are subjected to the worst forms of child labor, including in commercial sexual exploitation, sometimes as a result of human trafficking, and in armed conflict. Children also perform dangerous tasks in agriculture and gold mining. (1-3) The Survey on Children indicated that 2.1 million children ages 5 to 17 engage in child labor, of whom approximately 2 million engage in hazardous work. (4-6) Table 1 provides key indicators on children’s work and education in the Philippines.

Source for primary completion rate: Data from 2019, published by UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2021. (7)
Source for all other data: International Labor Organization's analysis of statistics from Labour Force Survey (LFS), 2019. (8)

Based on a review of available information, Table 2 provides an overview of children’s work by sector and activity.

† Determined by national law or regulation as hazardous and, as such, relevant to Article 3(d) of ILO C. 182.
‡ Child labor understood as the worst forms of child labor per se under Article 3(a)–(c) of ILO C. 182.

Children, primarily girls, from rural communities are subjected to trafficking domestically in urban centers and tourist destinations for the purposes of domestic work and commercial sexual exploitation. (22,23,25,27,33) While evidence indicates that the availability of child sex trafficking victims in commercial establishments declined in some urban areas, child sex trafficking remains a pervasive problem, typically abetted by taxi drivers who have knowledge of clandestine locations. (33) Traffickers also lure children from remote areas on Mindanao and other regions by using tourist visas available in Middle East countries, where many Filipinos work in household service jobs, and then sell the children to employment sponsors who exploit them. (27,33-35) Traffickers are able to circumvent the Philippine Government and destination countries’ regulatory frameworks for foreign workers and evade detection by using student and intern exchange programs and fake childcare positions. In addition, traffickers take advantage of porous maritime borders to avoid detection. (33)

Research indicates that the Philippines remains one of the top global Internet sources of online sexual exploitation of children (OSEC), which continues to be a highly profitable and growing sector due to increased access to Internet connectivity. A study found that OSEC cases tripled—reflecting a 250 percent increase—from 2014–2017. (20,25,27,33-44) In cases of OSEC, children are induced to perform sex acts at the direction of paying foreigners and local Filipinos for live Internet broadcasts that usually take place in small Internet cafes, private homes, or windowless dungeon-like buildings commonly known as “cybersex dens.” (3,20,25,27,33,38-40,44) Increasingly, women have been found to be perpetuating OSEC crimes, motivated by mostly financial incentives, with data indicating that upwards of 87 percent of OSEC cases involve a female trafficker known to the victims, most commonly the mother. (27,37,38)

According to data from March 1–May 24, 2020, the Philippines Department of Justice's Office of Cybercrimes received 279,166 reported cases of OSEC from the U.S. National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which is a significant (264 percent) increase from the 76,651 reported OSEC cases from the same timeframe in 2019. There were 36 confirmed cases of OSEC in 2020. (45) Recent surveys indicated an increase in the number of unconfirmed OSEC cases during the reporting period, fueled in large part by movement restrictions, and children having access to the Internet while being at home with their abusers during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. (5,27,36,38,41,43,46) A report released in 2020 concluded that the Philippines had become a global hub for OSEC due to high international and domestic demand, vulnerabilities in the financial system, and gaps in existing legislation. (27,47) In response to the increase in reported OSEC cases during the reporting period, the government filed House Resolution No. 1336 (H.R. No. 1336) which, when passed, will require the House Committee on the Welfare of Children and all other applicable committees in the House of Representatives to research the prevalence of OSEC cases reported during the pandemic. (42)

Recruitment of child soldiers by non-government militias and terrorist organizations, predominately on the southern island of Mindanao, remains a concern. (2,3,5,25,28,29,33,44,48) Research also suggests that these non-state armed groups, including the New People's Army, the Abu Sayyaf Group, and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters continue to recruit children—sometimes by force—from schools for use in combat and non-combat roles, including as human shields, cooks, and fighters, while offering religious education and material incentives to join. (2,3,20,25,27,33,44,48) In addition, the Islamic State reportedly subjects women and girls to sexual slavery. (33) The Government of the Philippines continued to convene formal coordination meetings with the UN on incidents of grave violations against children to facilitate appropriate responses to such situations. (3,25,49)

According to results from a 2020 survey on child labor, children were found to work on sugarcane plantations and rice fields in Luzon; as vendors, tricycle drivers, and carwash crew in Cavite; as plastic and paper scraps scavengers in Caloocan City; and as factory workers for slipper production in Laguna. Children from areas impacted by Typhoon Haiyan in Visayas in 2013 were reportedly forced to work as domestic helpers and as “traffic enforcers” to aid in high-construction areas post-typhoon, while children from indigenous communities in Mindanao worked on corn plantations. (5,50) Furthermore, a survey conducted by the Philippine Statistic Authority, in conjunction with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), found that over 50,000 out of 1.4 million domestic workers were minors and 4,900 were under the age of 15. It also reported that 95 percent of all child laborers were found to be engaging in conditions of hazardous work. (5,19) The Philippine Statistics Authority included a child labor module in the October 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020 rounds of the Labor Force Survey, but the results have yet to be released. (5)

Although the Constitution establishes free, compulsory education through age 18, unofficial school-related fees, such as for school uniforms, are prohibitive for some families. Other barriers to education include substandard infrastructure which makes traveling and access to schools challenging, especially for children in rural areas, and architectural barriers that pose challenges for children with disabilities. (44) The most recent Functional Literacy, Education and Mass Media Survey, published in 2015 with 2013 data, indicated that 10.6 percent of all school-age children did not attend school. (2,5) The more recent Annual Poverty Indicator Survey, published in 2018 with 2017 data, estimated that of the 44 million school-age children (ages 3 to 19), one-third were not enrolled in or attending school, with the highest percentage of those children living in the newly formed Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM). In an effort to combat this and to help facilitate youth school attendance, BARMM authorities provided the Ministry of Basic, Higher, and Technical Education the largest share of its budget for calendar year 2020. (3,5,44,51)

The Philippines has ratified all key international conventions concerning child labor (Table 3).

The government has established laws and regulations related to child labor (Table 4). However, gaps exist in the Philippines' legal framework to adequately protect children from the worst forms of child labor, including having the compulsory education age below the minimum age for work.

* No conscription (63)
‡ Age calculated based on available information (64)

For a third year, the Government of the Philippines reportedly continued reviewing proposed amendments to R.A. No. 9231 that would: (a) increase the minimum age of employment from age 15 to age 16, (b) devolve the issuance of child work permits to local government units, (c) institute stricter working hours for children, (d) mandate that part of the money legally earned by children be set aside in a trust fund, (e) authorize DOLE to determine the types of non-hazardous agricultural employment or work that children ages 16 to 18 can perform, and (f) design a holistic intervention program for children working in the informal economy. It is unclear what progress was made in 2020 toward passing these amendments. (2,3,5)

During the reporting period, the government filed several House and Senate Bills dealing with the worst forms of child labor. These included: House Bill No. 6015, which aims to provide stiffer penalties for violations of Republic Act No. 9231 by imposing both imprisonment and a fine for every instance a child is engaged in employment other than what is stated in the law; House Bill No. 6923, which seeks to prevent, respond to, and end OSEC, and will create an inter-agency council on OSEC that will serve as a monitoring body on initiatives related to the crime; House Bill No. 7465 which will amend the term “child pornography” to “sexual abuse or exploitation of children;" Senate Bill No. 1929, which aims to recognize and include online and digital platforms as methods used to commit trafficking in persons, and further expands the definition of trafficking in persons crimes to include OSEC; and House Bill No. 7836, which will raise the age of sexual consent from age 12 up to age 16, and eliminate a provision in the Penal Code that protected rapists if they proposed marriage to their victim. (5,66-68)

In response to continued reports of recruitment and use of child soldiers by non-state armed groups in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, the government passed legislation and issued regulations to ensure special protection for children in situations of armed conflict, mandated rehabilitation and services, and prescribed punishments. (33)

As the minimum age for work is lower than the compulsory education age, children may be encouraged to leave school before the completion of compulsory education. (44)

The government has established institutional mechanisms for the enforcement of laws and regulations on child labor (Table 5). However, gaps exist within the authority of enforcement agencies that may hinder adequate enforcement of their child labor laws.

* Agency responsible for child labor enforcement was created during the reporting period.

DOLE's Department Order No. 216 (D.O. No. 216) requires private employment agencies, when applying for a license to operate, to provide a notarized Affidavit of Undertaking stating that the agency will not engage, tolerate, nor support any acts involving illegal recruitment, trafficking in persons, violation of anti-child labor laws, or crimes involving moral turpitude or other similar activities. DOLE also issued Department Order No. 217, which has the same prerequisites as D.O. No. 216, but is focused on domestic workers. (5)

In addition, the government passed three Labor Advisories to ensure that children were protected from the worst forms of child labor during the pandemic. They included: Labor Advisory No. 23, which allows a child under the age of 15 to participate in public entertainment and information programming provided the child works from home under the supervision of a parent or guardian; Labor Advisory No. 24 (L.A. No. 24), which allows a child between the ages of 15–18 to participate in public entertainment or information programming provided that the child works from home under the supervision of a parent or guardian; and Labor Advisory No. 24-A (L.A. No. 24-A), which replaced L.A. No. 24 and allows a child between the ages of 15-18 to participate on-camera, in studio, or on location shots for public entertainment and information programming, provided that the official minimum public health standards are strictly implemented. Furthermore, L.A. No. 24-A also provides the child the right to refuse work. (5)

During the reporting period, the Department of Justice implemented a pilot initiative with the aim of introducing measures and policies to address human trafficking in public procurement and supply chains. In October, the program held its first webinar introducing several anti-human trafficking initiatives in public procurement policy and supply chain management. The webinar also introduced government officials to modern slavery concepts and how government procurement policies can be used to combat human trafficking. (27)

A lack of resources, including staff and a centralized database for tracking illegal recruitment and human trafficking, is an area of concern within law enforcement agencies because it impedes their ability to act quickly upon complaints of child labor, including OSEC, in both investigations and prosecutions. (25,33)

Labor Law Enforcement

In 2020, labor law enforcement agencies in the Philippines took actions to combat child labor (Table 6). However, gaps exist within the authority of DOLE that may hinder adequate labor law enforcement, including the authority to assess penalties.

During the reporting period, DOLE used technology for contactless inspection and continued implementing its strategy under DOLE’s Department Order 183-17 (D.O. No. 183-17), which prioritizes the following establishments and workplaces for inspection: (a) those engaged in hazardous work; (b) those employing children; (c) those engaged in contracting or subcontracting agreements; (d) those employing 10 or more employees; (e) other establishments or industries determined by the DOLE Secretary for priority inspection. DOLE also added additional sectors slated for regular labor inspections, including: (a) companies employing foreign nationals—Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations, in particular; (b) ongoing construction projects; and (c) companies engaged in contracting and subcontracting such as security agencies. (5) Labor inspections were suspended from March 15 to May 31, 2020, due to the pandemic, but inspections arising from essential service complaints continued during this time. (5) This brief moratorium on labor inspections resulted in a significant decrease in the total number of inspections conducted in 2020, compared to 2019. (5)

Also during the reporting period, the Bureau of Working Conditions (BWC) received a budget of $1.7 million specifically allocated for expenses related to labor law enforcement activities, including labor inspector training. An additional $4.1 million was allocated to the BWC regional offices for administrative expenses, including for labor inspector travel and transportation costs, trainings, supplies and materials, and cellular data plan subscriptions, and does not include the budget for the salaries of the labor inspectors working outside of the National Capital Region. (5) Despite these allocations, enforcement of child labor laws remained challenging due to the lack of resources for inspections and the limited number of inspectors, especially in rural areas where many vendors are unregistered and highly mobile. (2,3,15,30) The BWC also acknowledged that more specialized training on child labor is needed to enhance labor inspectors' ability to readily identify and act on child labor situations. (3,5)

The number of labor inspectors is likely insufficient for the size of the Philippines’s workforce, which includes approximately 42 million workers. According to the ILO’s technical advice of a ratio approaching 1 inspector for every 15,000 workers in developing economies, the Philippines would employ about 2,852 labor inspectors. (2,87,88)

During the reporting period, the Bangsamoro autonomous government provided $400 for rehabilitation support to the families of 180 children found to have been involved in child labor in the agricultural sector. (5,89)

Scheduling routine inspections is based on the national target set by the DOLE Central Office. Regional offices implement inspections based on factors such as prevailing industries and geographical areas. (2,3,72) Despite this, enforcement of child labor protections is not sufficient for children employed in the informal sector and in small and medium-size enterprises, particularly in agriculture and fishing, due to DOLE’s lack of capacity and resources. (2,3,5,27,44,90) The Rescue the Child Laborers Quick Action Teams are permitted to conduct unannounced compliance visits to video karaoke bars, massage parlors, sauna and bathhouses, and farms, but they are not authorized to conduct visits to private homes to search for underage child domestic workers. However, there are mechanisms available to barangay (village level) officials to permit them to investigate domestic work-related complaints. (2,3,5)

The government did not provide information on its labor law enforcement efforts relating to the number of child labor violations for which penalties imposed were collected.

Criminal Law Enforcement

In 2020, criminal law enforcement agencies in the Philippines took actions to combat child labor (Table 7). However, gaps exist within the operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that may hinder adequate criminal law enforcement, including allocating financial resources.

During the reporting period, the government continued its anti-drug campaign, which began in 2016, and did not adequately protect children allegedly engaged in drug trafficking from inappropriate incarceration or physical harm. Between January and September 2020, 553 children between the ages of 4–17 were arrested and detained during anti-drug operations nationwide. (5,91,92) PNP reported its referral of these children to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), after which they were placed in either juvenile detention centers or "Houses of Hope," which, in practice, closely resemble detention centers. (2,32,44)

Children also continued to be victims of extrajudicial killings during operations carried out as part of the anti-drug campaign. According to a children's rights NGO, 12 children were victims of extrajudicial killings during law enforcement operations between January and October 2020. (5) A report released in June posited that the total number of children killed since the beginning of anti-drug operations is likely under-reported. (93-97) In addition, there were reports of collateral deaths of children caught in the crossfire during police operations connected to the drug war, with some high-level government officials suggesting that killing suspected drug traffickers and users was necessary to wipe out drug-related crime, increasing the vulnerability of children being used in the drug trade. (3,93,98-100) There is no evidence that the government investigated, prosecuted, or convicted police officers accused of killing children during anti-drug operations in 2020. (44,48,93-96,101)

During the reporting period, law enforcement officials conducted 176 coordinated anti-trafficking operations involving 237 minor victims, which led to the prosecution of 172 defendants charged with the trafficking of children, and 81 defendants convicted for offenses related to the worst forms of child labor, including OSEC. (85) From April 2020 to March 2021, the government also convicted 34 traffickers under the anti-trafficking act and related laws, resulting in the courts sentencing 16 traffickers to sentences of life imprisonment, and assessed fines ranging from $80,000 to $100,000. The courts convicted a further 20 suspects of OSEC-related crimes. (27) In one notable case, the government convicted U.S. citizen David Timothy Deakin to life imprisonment and a $40,000 fine for "large-scale qualified trafficking in persons," making this case the very first OSEC conviction of a foreigner in the country. Criminal law enforcement also seized the largest amount of digital evidence related to OSEC in the Philippines to date. (5,27)

During the reporting period, the government failed to take law enforcement action against officials who facilitated the production of fraudulent identity documents or were otherwise complicit in human trafficking. (27,33)

During the reporting period, the Supreme Court issued "Guidelines on the Conduct of Videoconferencing," which permitted OSEC cases to use Video-In-Depth-Interview kits which, as a result, helped to protect 109 OSEC victims from appearing in court; thus helping to prevent re-traumatization of victims. (25,27,33,49,85) In addition, the Department of Justice issued its first advisory on plea bargaining in human trafficking cases, and the increased use by courts of such pleas—particularly in OSEC cases—significantly decreased the time to case resolution, further reducing the potential for re-traumatizing child victims. (33,85)

Philippine law allows judges to award civil compensation to human trafficking victims from damages arising from being trafficked, but victims rarely receive this restitution since perpetrators often lack sufficient assets to pay. However, in cases for which perpetrators are financially able to pay this penalty, many are able to evade doing so due to ineffective, slow court procedures. (27)

Research indicated the need for more law enforcement personnel, funds for operations, and equipment for forensic analysis of digital evidence due to the high volume of cybercrime tips related to child sexual exploitation received by the Office of Cybercrime each month. (33,44) Slow-moving courts, the need for additional training on handling digital evidence, lack of understanding regarding legal framework, and too few prosecutors also hindered the effective and timely prosecution of human trafficking crimes. (20,27,33,35)

The government has established mechanisms to coordinate its efforts to address child labor (Table 8).

During the reporting period, the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT), in partnership with the international nonprofit organization International Justice Mission (IJM) and the USDOS Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons Office, hosted a 3-day summit to discuss the growing concern of OSEC in the Philippines. (27,112,113) Attendees discussed best practices in investigative and judicial procedures among other topics and IJM announced the launch of its Center to End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children that will seek to strengthen the global response to this crime. (112-114)

In addition, in September, the Government of the Philippines virtually hosted the ASEAN Twentieth Senior Officials Meeting on Transnational Crime. A major outcome of the meeting included key agreements among ASEAN member states on how they will continue to respond to transnational crimes in the region, with each member state enumerating their respective plans for the succeeding years. (27)

The government also held a Bilateral Meeting on Transnational Investigative Cooperation on Trafficking in Persons in July 2020 with the Government of Malaysia. In addition, the Government of the Philippines shared best practices on prosecuting human trafficking cases—specifically OSEC—with 40 members of Thailand's law enforcement agencies, government agencies, and NGOs at an event hosted by the Thailand Trafficking In Persons Network. (27)

The government has established policies that are consistent with relevant international standards on child labor (Table 9).

* Policy was implemented during the reporting period.
‡ The government had other policies that may have addressed child labor issues or had an impact on child labor. (57,126,127)

During the reporting period, the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) signed a 1-year memorandum of agreement with local NGO, Blas Ople Policy Center, to establish a BARMM anti-human trafficking task force. (27)

In 2020, the government funded and participated in programs that include the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor (Table 10). However, gaps exist in these social programs, including the provision of adequate services for victims of child pornography.

† Program is funded by the Government of the Philippines.
‡ The government had other social programs that may have included the goal of eliminating or preventing child labor. (141,142)

The Department of the Interior and Local Government issued an advisory and a circular during the reporting period aimed at addressing effective delivery of assistance to children during quarantine. It included an "Advisory on the Activation of Barangay Violence Against Women Desk and Barangay Council for the Protection of Children" which ensured the availability and accessibility of barangay services to women and children, took active measures to prevent violence against women and children, provided immediate assistance to victims of violence, and provided appropriate support during quarantine to these vulnerable populations. (5)

Although some specialized resources exist to assist victims of human trafficking, the Philippines lacked sufficient programs to care for and rehabilitate children who have been victims of OSEC. (30) In addition, there are not adequate programs to provide insight on the impact of OSEC on child victims. (49,143-145)

Although DSWD works in consultation with parents and community leaders to determine how best to assist children suspected of being involved in the drug trade, DSWD does not have programs specifically designed to increase protections for or assistance to children engaged in drug trafficking. DSWD also lacks programming to address the heightened vulnerability of children impacted by the death of familial breadwinners in the drug war. (2,146)

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) continued to coordinate with DSWD when dealing with children allegedly involved in drug trafficking. Upon the PDEA turning over arrested children and within 8 hours of the conclusion of their court proceedings, DSWD transferred the children to either juvenile detention centers or "Houses of Hope" (Bahay ng Pag-asa) rehabilitation and skills training centers for children in trouble with the law. (2,3,5,147) Local government units or NGOs operated over 70 Houses of Hope throughout the country, with little oversight from the federal government. Although there is an accreditation process for these facilities administered by the federal Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council, only a small number of Houses of Hope have met the qualifications, allowing for continued corruption, maltreatment of residents, and failure to provide quality rehabilitative services. In 2020, reports continued that many Houses of Hope operate as youth detention centers where children are subjected to physical and emotional abuse, deprived of liberty, and forced into overcrowded and unhygienic cells. (44,45,92,97,147-155) In two facilities, for example, there were reported complaints of limited access to water supply, insufficient amounts of food or that food was expired, including a report that unused sacks of rice were infested with weevils. (45,148,149) The government took no known action in 2020 to hold accountable Houses of Hope alleged to have abused child residents. (44,92,97,147,150,151)

Based on the reporting above, suggested actions are identified that would advance the elimination of child labor in the Philippines (Table 11).

1. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. January 30, 2018.
2. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. January 30, 2019.
3. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. January 15, 2020.
4. Government of the Philippines—National Statistics Office. The Number of Working Children 5 to 17 Years Old is Estimated at 5.5 Million (Preliminary Results of the 2011 Survey on Children). Accessed: February 14, 2015. http://psa.gov.ph/content/number-working-children-5-17-years-old-estimated-55-million-preliminary-results-2011-survey
5. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. January 21, 2021.
6. Government of the Philippines. Administrative Order No. 579 ("Revised Guidelines on the Profiling of Child Laborers and Provision of Services to Remove them from Child Labor") DOLE, January 6, 2020. Source on file.
7. UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, both sexes (%). Accessed March 3, 2021. For more information, please see "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report. http://data.uis.unesco.org/
8. ILO. Analysis of Child Economic Activity and School Attendance Statistics from National Household or Child Labor Surveys. Original data from Labour Force Survey (LFS), 2019. Analysis received March 2021. For more information on sources used, the definition of working children and other indicators used in this report, please see the "Children's Work and Education Statistics: Sources and Definitions" in the Reference Materials section of this report.
9. Department of Labor and Employment official. Interview with USDOL official. May 10, 2019.
10. Torres, Joe. Chronic poverty is fueling child labor in the Philippines. January 29, 2015.
    http://www.ucanews.com/news/chronic-poverty-is-fueling-child-labor-in-the-philippines/72891
11. Castro, Charita Libao. Child Sakadas in Philippine Agriculture: Researching Injury Hazards for Working Children in the Context of International Labor Standards and United States Foreign Policy [Ph.D. diss.] The George Washington University, 2007. Source on file.
12. Chavez, Jenina Joy, et al. The Economics of Tobacco Farming in the Philippines. September 2016.
    http://aer.ph/industrialpolicy/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/REPORT-The-Economics-of-Tobacco-Farming-in-the-Philippines-LAYOUT.pdf
13. ChildFund International. Building Capacity, Advocacy, Awareness and Program (BCA2P) of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Mindanao. October 2020: Technical Progress Report. Source on file.
14. UCW. Understanding Child Labour and Youth Employment Outcomes in the Philippines. December 2015.
    http://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-manila/documents/publication/wcms_447853.pdf
15. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. January 19, 2016.
16. Pascual, Ludwig John H., Domingo, S.N., and Manejar, A.J.A. Answering critical questions on small-scale mining in the Philippines. Philippine Institute for Development Studies - Policy Notes, April 2020.
    https://think-asia.org/bitstream/handle/11540/11743/pidspn2006.pdf?sequence=1
17. Catoto, Roel N. Teens exposed to hazardous work in Surigao mining firm. Center for Trade Union and Human Rights, September 1, 2014.
    https://www.pressreader.com/philippines/sunstar-davao/20140902/281715497800309
18. Sabillo, K.A. Where have all the children gone? August 4, 2014.
    http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/626282/where-have-all-the-children-gone
19. Aquino, Leslie Ann. DOLE reports that less than 1 percent of domestic helpers are minors; warns vs. exploitation of child labor. Manila Bulletin, December 3, 2020.
    https://mb.com.ph/2020/12/03/dole-reports-that-less-than-1-percent-of-domestic-helpers-are-minors-warns-vs-exploitation-of-child-labor/
20. ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Observation concerning the Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) Philippines (ratification: 2000). Accessed: December 2, 2020.
    https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:4012525
21. Nacnac, Denise and Michael Valera. On Trinoma-SM footbridge, boy sells flowers and reads his way to school. November 23, 2016.
    https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/153210-young-brothers-sell-sampaguita-food-school-allowance
22. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. February 16, 2018.
23. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. March 6, 2019.
24. U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2019: Philippines. Washington, DC, June 14, 2019.
    https://www.state.gov/reports/2019-trafficking-in-persons-report-2/philippines__trashed/
25. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. February 21, 2020.
26. Lowe, Aya. Philippines Faces Hurdles to Shut Down Sex Trafficking. Channel NewsAsia, August 23, 2015.
    http://apflnet.ilo.org/news/philippines-faces-hurdles-to-shut-down-sex-trafficking
27. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. April 6, 2021.
28. UN Security Council. Report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict: A/74/845–S/2020/525. New York, June 9, 2020. https://www.un.org/sg/sites/www.un.org.sg/files/atoms/files/15-June-2020_Secretary-General_Report_on_CAAC_Eng.pdf
29. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict. Philippines: Significant Measures to Protect Conflict-Affected Children in Place but Full Implementation Essential for Effective Protection. New York: August 25, 2020.
    https://childrenandarmedconflict.un.org/2020/08/philippines-significant-measures-to-protect-conflict-affected-children-in-place-but-full-implementation-essential-for-effective-protection/
30. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. February 1, 2017.
31. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. PDEA Expresses Concern Over Rising Incidence of Minors Involved in Illegal Drug Activities; Supports Senate Resolution No. 19. August 21, 2016. Source on file.
32. U.S. Embassy- Manila official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 29, 2018.
33. U.S. Department of State. Trafficking in Persons Report- 2020: Philippines. Washington, DC, June 20, 2020.
    https://www.state.gov/reports/2020-trafficking-in-persons-report/philippines/
34. McQue, Katie. Sold into Syrian servitude, Filipina workers tell of abuse, rape and imprisonment. Dubai: The Washington Post, January 24, 2021.
    https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/trafficking-migrant-workers-syria-uae/2021/01/24/1d79e43c-3f0d-11eb-b58b-1623f6267960_story.html
35. ILO Committee of Experts. Individual Observation concerning Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) Philippines (ratification: 2005). Accessed: December 2, 2020.
    https://www.ilo.org/dyn/normlex/en/f?p=1000:13100:0::NO:13100:P13100_COMMENT_ID:4012549
36. Mayol, Ador Vincent. Child sexual abuse online up 250% in 3. Inquirer Net, May 25, 2020.
    https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1280330/child-sexual-abuse-online-up-250-percent-in-3-years
37. Malindog-Uy, Anna. Philippines: Online Child Sexploitation Hotspot. The ASEAN Post, October 18, 2020.
    https://theaseanpost.com/article/philippines-online-child-sexploitation-hotspot
38. International Justice Mission. Online Sexual Exploitation of Children in the Philippines: Analysis and Recommendations for Governments, Industry, and Civil Society. May 20, 2020.
    https://www.ijm.org/documents/studies/Final-Public-Full-Report-5_20_2020.pdf
39. Abad, Michelle. Online sexual exploitation of children in PH tripled in 3 years. Rappler, May 21, 2020.
    https://www.rappler.com/nation/online-sexual-exploitation-children-philippines-tripled-3-years
40. U.S. Embassy- Manila official. E-mail communication with USDOL official. March 4, 2020.
41. Barker, Anne. Mothers play an increasingly large and shocking role in South-East Asian child sexual abuse. ABC News, July 1, 2020. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-02/south-east-asian-mums-sell-child-abuse-material-to-paedophiles/12407294
42. Luci-Atienza, Charissa. Solons seek probe on rising sexual exploitation of Filipino kids. Manila Bulletin, November 14, 2020.
    https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/14/solons-seek-probe-on-rising-sexual-exploitation-of-filipino-kids/
43. Jennings, Ralph. Philippines Parents 'Pimp Out' their Children as COVID Job Losses Mount. Taipei: Voice of America. December 7, 2020. https://www.voanews.com/east-asia-pacific/philippines-parents-pimp-out-their-children-covid-job-losses-mount
44. U.S. Department of State. Country Reports on Human Rights Practices- 2020: Philippines. Washington, DC, March 2021.
    https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/PHILIPPINES-2020-HUMAN-RIGHTS-REPORT.pdf
45. U.S. Department of State official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 22, 2021.
46. Ki, Czarina Nicole Ong. Legal loopholes expose children to abuse, exploitation — CHR. Manila Bulletin, November 7, 2020.
    https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/07/legal-loopholes-expose-children-to-abuse-exploitation-chr/
47. Anti-Money Laundering Council. Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: A crime with a global impact and an evolving transnational threat. 2020. http://www.amlc.gov.ph/images/PDFs/2020 AUG AMLC OSEC AN EMERGING RISK AMID THE COVID19 PANDEMIC.pdf
48. United Nations Human Rights Committee. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights: Situation of human rights in the Philippines A/HRC/44/22, June 29, 2020.
    https://undocs.org/en/A/HRC/44/22.
49. U.S. Department of State official. E-mail communication with USDOL official. July 1, 2020.
50. Ki, Czarina Nicole Ong. Filipino youth most concerned about child labor, early pregnancy. Manila Bulletin, November 25, 2020.
    https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/25/filipino-youth-most-concerned-about-child-labor-early-pregnancy/
51. Government of the Philippines. Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS). Philippine Statistics Authority, 2018. https://psa.gov.ph/content/annual-poverty-indicators-survey-apis
52. Government of the Philippines. An Act Instituting Policies for the Protection and Welfare of Domestic Workers, No. 10361. Enacted: January 18, 2013. Source on file.
53. Government of the Philippines. The Labor Code of the Philippines, Presidential Decree No. 442. Enacted: May 1, 1974. http://hrlibrary.umn.edu/research/Philippines/PD 442 - Labor Code of the Philippines.pdf
54. Government of the Philippines. Republic Act No. 7610 - Special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, Exploitation, and Discrimination Act. Enacted: June 17, 1992. Source on file.
55. Government of the Philippines. An Act Providing For The Elimination Of The Worst Forms Of Child Labor And Affording Stronger Protection For The Working Child, Amending For This Purpose Republic Act No. 7610, No. 9231. Enacted: December 19, 2003.
    http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2003/ra_9231_2003.html
56. Government of the Philippines. Guidelines in Assessing and Determining Hazardous Work in the Employment of Persons Below 18 Years of Age. Act No. 149-A. January 16, 2017.
    https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-order-149-a-17-guidelines-in-assessing-and-determining-hazardous-work-in-the-employment-of-persons-below-18-years-of-age/
57. Government of the Philippines. Guidelines in Assessing and Determining Hazardous Work in the Employment of Persons Below 18 Years of Age, Department Order No. 149. Enacted: February 15, 2016.
    https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-order-no-149-2016-guidelines-in-assessing-and-determining-hazardous-work-in-the-employment-of-persons-below-18-years-of-age/
58. Government of the Philippines. Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012. No. 10364. Enacted: February 6, 2013. https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2013/ra_10364_2013.html
59. Government of the Philippines. Anti-Child Pornography Act of 2009. No. 9775. Enacted: November 17, 2009.
    http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9775_2009.html
60. Government of the Philippines. An Act Defining Cybercrime, Providing for the Prevention, Investigation, Suppression and the Imposition of Penalties Therefore and for Other Purposes, Republic Act No. 10175. Enacted: 2011.
    https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2012/ra_10175_2012.html
61. Government of the Philippines. Free Internet Access in Public Places Act. Republic Act No 10929. August 2, 2017. https://www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra 10929.pdf
62. Government of the Philippines. Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, No. 9165. Enacted: June 7, 2002. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2002/ra_9165_2002.html
63. Government of the Philippines. Providing for the Development, Administration, Organization, Training and Maintenance and Utilization of the Citizen Armed Forces of the Philippines, and for Other Purposes Act, No. 7077. Enacted: June 27, 1991. http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra1991/ra_7077_1991.html
64. Government of the Philippines. Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013, No. 10533. Enacted: May 15, 2012.
    https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2013/ra_10533_2013.html
65. Government of the Philippines. The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines. Enacted: February 11, 1987. https://www.lawphil.net/consti/cons1987.html
66. Torregoza, Hannah. Closer monitoring of POGOs to stop sex trafficking proposed. Manila Bulletin, November 25, 2020. https://mb.com.ph/2020/11/25/closer-monitoring-of-pogos-to-stop-sex-trafficking-proposed/
67. Conde, Carlos. Philippines Takes Step to Protect Children—House Passes Bill Increasing Age of Sexual Consent to 16. Human Rights Watch, December 3, 2020.
    https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/12/03/philippines-takes-step-protect-children
68. Government of the Philippines. House Bill No. 7836. Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act. December 2020.
    http://congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/third_18/HBT7836.pdf
69. ILO. E-mail communication to USDOL official. April 13, 2018.
70. Government of the Philippines. Submit Establishment Report. Department of Labor and Employment, Accessed: January 22, 2021.
    https://reports.dole.gov.ph/
71. Government of the Philippines. Administrative Order No. 169, S. 2020. DOLE, August 25, 2020. Source on file.
72. Department of Labor and Employment official. Interview with USDOL official. May 10, 2019.
73. Department of Labor and Employment. Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns. Accessed: May 29, 2019.
    https://bwsc.dole.gov.ph/
74. Department of Labor and Employment—Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns. Sagip Batang Manggagawa (SBM). Accessed: 2018.
    https://bwsc.dole.gov.ph/programs-and-projects-submenu1/clpep/sbm.html
75. ILO. Application of International Labour Standards 2020—Report of the Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations. February 14, 2020.
    https://www.ilo.org/global/standards/applying-and-promoting-international-labour-standards/committee-of-experts-on-the-application-of-conventions-and-recommendations/WCMS_735945/lang--en/index.htm
76. Remitio, Rex. Gov't blocks major porn websites. CNN Philippines, January 20, 2017.
    http://cnnphilippines.com/news/2017/01/16/government-blocks-major-porn-websites.html
77. Department of Justice official. Interview with USDOL official. May 6, 2019.
78. Australian Federal Police. Inauguration of the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center. Washington, DC: Targeted News Service, February 27, 2019.
    https://www.afp.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/inauguration-philippine-internet-crimes-against-children-center
79. Champion, Sarah. Online sexual exploitation of children needs our urgent attention. LabourList. November 19, 2020.
    https://labourlist.org/2020/11/online-sexual-exploitation-of-children-needs-our-urgent-attention/
80. U.S. Embassy- Manila official. E-mail correspondence to USDOL official. July 10, 2019.
81. Philippines National Police official. Interview with USDOL official. May 6, 2019.
82. British Embassy- Manila. Launch of the Philippines Internet Crimes Against Children Center. February 27, 2019.
    https://www.gov.uk/government/news/launch-of-the-philippine-internet-crimes-against-children-center
83. Department of Information and Communications Technology official. Interview with USDOL official. May 7, 2019.
84. Government of the Philippines. Rules and Regulations Implementing Republic Act No. 10929, known as the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act. Accessed: July 23, 2018.
    https://dict.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Draft-IRR-RA-10929.pdf
85. U.S. Embassy- Manila official. E-mail correspondence with USDOL official. April 27, 2021.
86. U.S. Embassy- Manila official. E-mail communication with USDOL official. February 24, 2020.
87. CIA. The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/philippines/
88. UN. World Economic Situation and Prospects 2017 Statistical Annex. New York, 2017. Please see “Labor Law Enforcement: Sources and Definitions” in the Reference Materials section of this report.
    https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/wp-content/uploads/sites/45/publication/2017wesp_full_en.pdf
89. Unson, John. 180 child labor victims get rehab support from BARMM. PhilStar, November 21, 2020.
    https://www.philstar.com/nation/2020/11/21/2058484/180-child-labor-victims-get-rehab-support-barmm
90. Government of the Philippines. DOLE. Transition of informal sector workers to formal economy gets boost. May 6, 2017.
    https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/transition-of-informal-sector-workers-to-formal-economy-gets-boost/
91. Reuters. Death of a Schoolboy. August 25, 2017.
    http://fingfx.thomsonreuters.com/gfx/rngs/PHILIPPINES-DRUGS/010050JX18M/index.html
92. Macaraig, Ayee. 'Worse than prison': Abuses in Philippine youth homes. ABS-CBN, July 22, 2019.
    https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/07/22/19/worse-than-prison-abuses-in-philippine-youth-homes
93. Nebehay, Stephanie. Scores of children killed in Philippines' war on drugs: report. Reuters, June 29, 2020.
    https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-rights-idUSKBN2401BZ
94. Ratcliffe, Rebecca. ‘War on drugs' blamed for death of at least 122 children in Philippines. Bangkok: The Guardian, June 30, 2020.
    https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2020/jun/30/war-on-drugs-blamed-for-deaths-of-at-least-122-children-in-philippines
95. Matar, Laila. Countries at the UN Should be Bold, Principled on Philippines. Human Rights Watch, September 14, 2020. https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/14/countries-un-should-be-bold-principled-philippines
96. United Nations Human Rights Council. Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the situation of human rights in the Philippines - A/HRC/44/22. June 4, 2020.
    https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/PH/Philippines-HRC44-AEV.pdf
97. World Organization Against Torture. "How Could They Do This To My Child?" - Extrajudicial killings of children during the "war on drugs" in the Philippines. OMCT, June 2020.
    https://www.omct.org/files/2020/06/25937/omct_philippines_childrights_06.2020_en_single.pdf
98. Amnesty International. If You are Poor, You are Killed - Extrajudicial Executions in the Philippines' “War on Drugs". 2017. https://www.amnestyusa.org/reports/if-you-are-poor-you-are-killed-extrajudicial-executions-in-the-philippines-war-on-drugs/
99. Al Jazeera. Rodrigo Duterte interview: Death, drugs and diplomacy. October 16, 2016.
    https://www.aljazeera.com/program/talk-to-al-jazeera/2016/10/16/rodrigo-duterte-interview-death-drugs-and-diplomacy
100. Human Rights Watch. Philippines: Abusive ‘Drug War’ Targets Children. September 9, 2017.
     https://www.hrw.org/news/2017/09/09/philippines-abusive-drug-war-targets-children
101. Editorial Board. Rodrigo Duterte has accelerated the Philippines' slide toward authoritarianism. The Washington Post, July 28, 2019.
     https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/rodrigo-duterte-has-accelerated-the-philippines-slide-toward-authoritarianism/2019/07/28/b43e8d70-acb3-11e9-bc5c-e73b603e7f38_story.html
102. Esguerra, Darryl John. Duterte creates National Council Against Child Labor. The Philippine Daily Inquirer, September 27, 2019.
     https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1170328/duterte-creates-national-council-against-child-labor
103. Merez, Arianne. Duterte forms National Council Against Child Labor. ABS-CBN News, September 27, 2019.
     https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/27/19/duterte-forms-national-council-against-child-labor
104. Agoot, Liza. DOLE reactivates regional child labor committee. Philippine News Agency, October 2, 2019.
     https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1081992
105. Rappler Trade union welcomes creation of anti-child labor council. Rappler.com, September 28, 2019.
     https://r3.rappler.com/nation/241284-trade-union-welcomes-creation-anti-child-labor-council
106. Government of the Philippines. Government Efforts to Combat the Worst Forms of Child Labor: Presentation to U.S. Department of Labor. July 18, 2017. Source on file.
107. United Nations Human Rights Committee. Periodic reports of state parties, due in 2016: Philippines. May 2019: CCPR/C/PHL/5. Source on file.
108. U.S. Embassy- Manila official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. February 22, 2016.
109. U.S. Embassy- Manila official. E-mail communication with USDOL official. March 5, 2020.
110. Council for the Welfare of Children—Inter-Agency Committee on Children in Situations of Armed Conflict (IAC CSAC). Inputs to the US Department of Labor Annual Report. June 2020. Source on file.
111. Department of Social Welfare and Development official. Interview with USDOL official. May 7, 2019.
112. SunStar. Iacat, US Government, IJM to host virtual summit to bolster global resolve against osec. Manila, November 20, 2020.
     https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1876390/Manila/Local-News/Iacat-US-Government-IJM-to-host-virtual-summit-to-bolster-global-resolve-against-Osec
113. International Justice Mission. IJM launches Center to End Online Sexual Exploitation of Children. IJM, Accessed: January 26, 2020.
     https://www.ijm.org/vawc/blog/ijm-launches-center-to-end-osec
114. SunStar. IJM's Center to end Osec launched. Manila, November 20, 2020.
     https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1877471/Manila/Local-News/IJMs-Center-to-end-Osec-launched
115. Government of the Philippines. Philippines Plan of Action to End Violence Against Children (PPAEVAC). 2017. Source on file.
116. ILO-IPEC. Global Action Program on Child Labor Issues. October 2016: Technical Progress Report. Source on file.
117. Government of the Philippines. IACAT Plans and Programs in Combating Labor Trafficking and Online Sexual Exploitation of Children: Presentation to U.S. Department of Labor. July 17, 2017. Source on file.
118. Government of the Philippines. National Strategic Action Plan Against Trafficking in Persons (2017-2022). Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking, Source on file.
119. U.S. Department of State. Diplomacy in Action—Child Protection Compact Partnerships. Washington, DC, Accessed: January 15, 2019. https://www.state.gov/child-protection-compact-partnerships/
120. Government of the Philippines. Justice Secretary Aguirre signs Child Protection Compact (CPC) partnership with US Embassy official. April 11, 2017. Source on file.
121. U.S. Department of State. Child Protection Compact Partnership Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. April 11, 2017.
     https://www.state.gov/child-protection-compact-partnerships-philippines/
122. U.S. Embassy- Manila official. E-mail communication to USDOL official. June 5, 2018.
123. UNICEF. Child 21. A Legacy to the Filipino Children of the 21st Century, Philippines National Strategic Framework for Plan Development for Children, 2000–2025, 2000. Source on file.
124. Government of the Philippines. 3rd National Plan of Action for Children (2017–2022), Executive Summary. 2017. Source on file.
125. Government of the Philippines. Philippine Program Against Child Labor, Development Action Plan, 2017–2022. 2017. Source on file.
126. Government of the Philippines. DOLE. Guidance to Host Establishments in Ensuring Safe Workplaces for Senior High School Students under Work Immersion Program. July 14, 2017.
     Government of the Philippines. DOLE. Guidance to Host Establishments in Ensuring Safe Workplaces for Senior High School Students under Work Immersion Program. July 14, 2017
127. Government of the Philippines. Implementing Rules and Regulations of Republic Act No. 10917 Amending for the Purpose Republic Act 9547 and 7323, Otherwise Known as the Special Program for the Employment of Students (SPES). March 20, 2017. Source on file.
128. Dumaboc, Fe Marie. DOLE gathers 900 Cebu kids for anti-child labor program. Philippine News Agency, November 26, 2019. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1087054
129. Government of the Philippines, Department of Social Welfare and Development. The Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps). Accessed: July 27, 2018. https://pantawid.dswd.gov.ph/about/
130. ILO. Philippines bolsters fight against child labour. Accessed: May 31, 2017.
     http://www.ilo.org/manila/public/pr/WCMS_541499/lang--en/index.htm
131. Calunsod, Ronron. Campaigners enlist kids in bid to end child labor. Kyodo News, June 7, 2018.
     https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/07/18/campaigners-enlist-kids-in-bid-to-end-child-labor
132. U.S. Embassy- Manila. Reporting. February 29, 2016.
133. Philippine Department of Education official. Interview with USDOL official. July 18, 2017.
134. U.S. Department of Labor. Against Child Exploitation (ACE) Project—Project Summary (2020). Accessed May 25, 2021. https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/against-child-exploitation-ace-project
135. U.S. Department of Labor. BuildCA2P: Build Capacity, Awareness, Advocacy and Programs Project—Project Summary (2020). Accessed May 25, 2021.
     https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/buildca2p-building-capacity-awareness-advocacy-and-programs-project
136. U.S. Department of Labor. SAFE Seas—Project Summary (2020). Accessed May 25, 2021.
     https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/safe-seas
137. U.S. Department of Labor. RICHES—Project Summary (2020). Accessed May 25, 2021.
     https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/riches
138. U.S. Department of Labor. Measurement, Awareness-Raising, and Policy Engagement (MAP16) Project on Child Labor and Forced Labor—Project Summary (2020). Accessed May 25, 2021.
     https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/measurement-awareness-raising-and-policy-engagement-map-16-project-child-labor-and
139. U.S. Department of Labor. CARING Gold Mining Project—Project Summary (2020). Accessed: May 25, 2021.
     https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ilab/caring-gold-mining-project-convening-stakeholders-develop-and-implement-strategies
140. ILO-IPEC. Country Level Engagement and Assistance to Reduce (CLEAR) Child Labor Project. Technical Progress Report. October 2015. Source on file.
141. Government of the Philippines. Department of Labor and Employment- Bureau of Workers with Special Concerns. Social Amelioration Program in the Sugar Industry. March 2, 2014. Source on file.
142. Government of the Philippines. Strengthening the Social Amelioration Program in the Sugar Industry, Providing the Mechanics for its Implementation, and for Other Purposes Act, No. 6982. Enacted: May 1, 1991. http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno6982.htm
143. Holmes, Oliver. How child sexual abuse became a family business in the Philippines. The Guardian, May 30, 2016. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/31/live-streaming-child-sex-abuse-family-business-philippines
144. Jalea, Mary Gleefer F. Social media tool for child trafficking. The Manila Times, October 21, 2017.
     http://www.manilatimes.net/social-media-tool-child-trafficking/357750/
145. Murdoch, Lindsay. Children as young as two rescued from Philippine cybersex abuse dens. The Sydney Morning Herald, June 3, 2017.
     https://www.smh.com.au/world/children-as-young-as-two-rescued-from-philippine-cybersex-abuse-dens-20170603-gwjmg5.html
146. Human Rights Watch. “Our Happy Family Is Gone”—Impact of the "War on Drugs" on Children in the Philippines. May 27, 2020.
     https://www.hrw.org/report/2020/05/27/our-happy-family-gone/impact-war-drugs-children-philippines
147. Philippines NGO. Interview with USDOL official. June 26, 2018. Source on file.
148. Commission on Human Rights. Report of Online Visit at Marikina Youth Home (Bahay Pag-asa Marikina). December 10, 2020. Source on file.
149. Commission on Human Rights. Report of Remote and Physical Visit to Bahay Pag-Asa in Pasig City. January 18, 2021. Source on file.
150. Human Rights Watch. Philippines: Congress Aims to Lock Up More Children - Lowering Age of Criminal Responsibility Would Impede Rehabilitation. Human Rights Watch, February 2, 2019.
     https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/02/02/philippines-congress-aims-lock-more-children
151. Abad, Michelle. Children deal with abuse, fears of coronavirus in 'Houses of Hope.' Manila: Rappler, May 19, 2020.
     https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/children-deal-with-abuse-fears-coronavirus-bahay-pag-asa
152. Local NGO official. Interview with USDOL official. May 9, 2019. Source on file.
153. Watkin, Huw. Children in prison: Philippines’ rundown Houses of Hope detain kids in appalling conditions. South China Morning Post, May 23, 2019.
     https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3011296/children-prison-philippines-rundown-houses-hope
154. Cullen, Fr. Shay, SSC. Children abused in detention. The Manila Times, June 24, 2018.
     http://www.manilatimes.net/children-abused-in-detention/411729/
155. Cullen, Fr. Shay, SSC. What Philippine officials found in child detention centers. The Manila Times, January 16, 2016. http://www.manilatimes.net/what-philippine-officials-found-in-child-detention-centers/239813/