Philippines Slams Cambodia Over Trafficking at Cybercrime Summit

Tuffo

The Philippines has issued a sharp rebuke to Cambodia at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Geneva, demanding urgent action to dismantle trafficking networks linked to Southeast Asia’s cybercrime industry.

Speaking on 20 October, Senator Raffy Tulfo called on Cambodian authorities to tighten border security and arrest the masterminds behind scam centres exploiting Filipino workers. “Traffickers use routes from the Philippines to Cambodia to target our citizens,” Tulfo said, urging vigilance and swift justice.

The remarks came during the Asia-Pacific Geopolitical Group meeting, part of the 151st IPU Assembly held from 19–23 October. Delegates discussed the rise of online scams, fake news, and digital abuse, with the Philippines backing Thailand’s emergency motion to strengthen parliamentary cooperation against cybercrime. Australia and Malaysia supported the motion, while China and Cambodia objected to parts of its language.

The summit follows mounting evidence of human trafficking linked to scam hubs across Southeast Asia. Thousands of victims, including Filipinos, are reportedly lured by fake job offers and forced into online fraud operations. Cambodian centres have drawn particular scrutiny, with reports of abuse, confinement, and ransom demands.

The Philippines’ intervention signals growing regional pressure for accountability. As cybercrime networks expand, lawmakers are calling for coordinated legal and diplomatic efforts to protect vulnerable workers and dismantle transnational syndicates.

-2025-10-21