By Paulo Loreto Lim
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo recently released the annual Trafficking in Persons Report, which rates governments on their efforts in ending the illegal practice of human trafficking. This year, the Philippines ranked as Tier 1, which means they are compliant with the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act, an American law that provides protections for trafficking victims.
“The Government of the Philippines fully meets the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking,” the report stated. “The government continued to demonstrate serious and sustained efforts during the reporting period.”
The report noted the Philippines has upped law enforcement efforts, prosecution proceedings, and prevention. However, in terms of capabilities in maintaining such processes, the country did lack in that sector.
“The government increased the Philippine National Police Women and Children’s Protection Center budget in 2018,” the report indicated. “However, government agencies continued to report inadequate resources for anti-trafficking investigations and prosecutions.”
The American cabinet official noted the report is a means for the world to unite in ending the criminal practice.
“We must band together and build momentum to defeat human trafficking,” Pompeo said in his message. “Each one of us can be a champion for freedom and use our specific strengths to help eradicate human trafficking.”
Last month, the Bureau of Immigration rescued three individuals who were likely being exploited after a suspected human trafficker was stopped from leaving the country at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.
According to a Bureau of Immigration release, the three potential victims were reportedly headed to Malta after each of them paid an illegal recruiter P310,000 for supposed placement fees and travel costs.
Meanwhile, last April, the Malay Municipal Police Station, 2nd Aklan Provincial Mobile Force Company, and Aklan Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force conducted operations resulting in the rescue of 33 women who were being forced into prostitution at Sitio Tulubhana, a community located within Barangay Manoc-Manoc at popular tourist destination Boracay.
According to a release by Police Regional Office-6 spokesperson, Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, the victims were reportedly being exploited at two rented spaces and a former karaoke bar./PLL, WDJ
